--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Friendship is a disinterested commerce…" description: "\"Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals; love, an abject intercourse between tyrants and slaves.\" — Oliver Goldsmith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/oliver-goldsmith-772_business_friendship-is-a-disinterested-commerce-b_1801474.png" --- # Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals… ![“Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals; love, an abject intercourse between tyrants and slaves.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/oliver-goldsmith-772_business_friendship-is-a-disinterested-commerce-b_1801474.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/oliver-goldsmith-772_business_friendship-is-a-disinterested-commerce-b_1801474.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/oliver-goldsmith-772_business_friendship-is-a-disinterested-commerce-b_1801474.png) > “Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals; love, an abject intercourse between tyrants and slaves.” [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Friendship is based on mutual benefit without selfish motives; love is a power imbalance where one dominates the other. **In simple terms:** Friendship is equal and selfless; love can be unequal and controlling. Key Takeaway Seek balanced relationships, avoid domination. Themes friendship love power dynamics equality Mood reflective critical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - personal relationships - romantic partnerships - workplace dynamics - family ties Key Concepts social contract emotional dependency hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - Do you feel equal in your friendships? - How do power imbalances affect love? A Different Perspective Love can become oppressive when power is uneven. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commerce/) [Disinterested](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disinterested/) [Disinterested Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disinterested-commerce-2035382/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Friendship Disinterested](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship-disinterested-2035381/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Tyrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrants/) [Tyrants Slaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyrants-slaves-1143281/) ## Related quotes > [“There are no tyrants if there are no slaves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-p-rizal/there-are-no-tyrants-if-there-are-no-slaves/) [Jose P. 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