Friend Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
“Pity and friendship are two passions incompatible with each other.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Good-Natured Man by Oliver Goldsmith, 1768
Pity and friendship cannot coexist because they stem from different emotional motivations.
In simple terms: Compassion and friendship are mutually exclusive.
Key Takeaway
Recognize differing emotional drives.
Themes
friendship
compassion
conflict
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- charitable acts
- social circles
Key Concepts
ethical theory
human emotions
social bonds
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you experience both pity and friendship toward the same person?
- What situations blur the line between them?
A Different Perspective
Human connections often blend both qualities despite theory.
![“[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7d/oliver-goldsmith-772_abyss_t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles_88121.jpg)
