Friend Quote by Pearl S. Buck
““Friendship between tow persons, or two nations, is an unbreakable bond, a tie which cannot be cut. An honourable heart does not cast aside a friend because he is in trouble, nor even if he changes his nature and becomes a criminal. Between two nations friendship must also be eternal, else the friend is false and being false in one event was always false. And what was our crime against the Americans? The Great Change? But is it a crime to change a government? By whose law can it be called a crime? It is of no more importance, between friends, than for one to change his garment! For this lack of reason our love for Americans is changed to hate. I fear for the future! A generation is growing up here in our country which has never seen an American face or heard an American voice. What do they know of Americans except to hate them as they are taught to do? There is no hate so dangerous as that which once was love. … - To the Americans, Communism is a crime. They will have none of it. - But why, when it is ours, not theirs? … - I suppose this American concern with a form of government springs from their own history. Their ancestors fled from Europe to escape tyranny from their ancient rulers. Freedom was their dream. To them, therefore, tyranny is endemic in Communism. They will have none of it. It is not we who are Chinese whom they hate. It is the tyranny they imagine.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to American audience, 1940s, null
Friendship should be steadfast despite change; betrayal erodes trust and fuels hatred.
In simple terms: True friendship endures change; betrayal breeds hate.
Guard loyalty, question propaganda.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- education
- media consumption
- intercultural dialogue
- peacebuilding
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does propaganda reshape perceptions of former allies?
- What actions can restore trust between divided groups?
Friendship can be strained by systemic oppression and misinformation.