Doe Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“In true friendship, in which I am expert, I give myself to my friend more than I draw him to me. I not only like doing him good better than having him do me good, but also would rather have him do good to himself than to me; he does me most good when he does himself good.”
About This Quote
True friendship is selfless, valuing the other's well‑being over personal gain, and finding joy when the friend thrives independently.
In simple terms: Selfless love in friendship
Key Takeaway
Friendship flourishes when you prioritize the other's growth
Themes
selflessness
reciprocity
personal growth
empathy
virtue
Mood
warmth
gratitude
inspiration
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- confiding in a friend during hardship
- supporting a friend's career move
- encouraging a friend's healthy habit
Key Concepts
friendship
moral philosophy
human flourishing
Practical Applications
- coaching relationships
- therapeutic counseling
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice selfless support without losing yourself?
- What does it mean to find joy in another's success?
![“[I]n love, man declares himself unsatisfied in his individuality taken by itself, he postulates the existence of another as a need of the heart; … the life which he has through love to be the truly human life, … The individual is defective, imperfect, weak, needy; but love is strong, perfect…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/338/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_diversity_i-n-love-man-declares-himself-unsatisfie_1009266.jpg)
