Friendship Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
““Leave this touching and clawing. Let him be to me a spirit. A message, a thought, a sincerity, a glance from him, I want, but not news nor pottage. I can get politics, and chat, and neighborly conveniences from cheaper companions. Should not the society of my friend be to me poetic, pure, universal, and great as nature itself? Ought I to feel that our tie is profane in comparison with yonder bar of cloud that sleeps on the horizon, or that clump of waving grass that divides the brook? Let us not vilify, bur raise it to that standard. That great, defying eye, that scornful beauty of his mien and action, do not pique yourself on reducing, but rather fortify and enhance.””
About This Quote
The speaker urges a shift from superficial, material concerns to a deeper, spiritual connection that values purity, universality, and the inherent beauty of existence over trivialities.
In simple terms: Seek profound, poetic bonds over mundane interactions.
Key Takeaway
Elevate relationships to a higher, more universal plane.
Themes
spirituality
philosophy
nature
authenticity
human connection
Mood
reflective
inspired
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
poetic
inspirational
When to use this quote
- contemplating friendships
- rejecting shallow social expectations
- pursuing artistic inspiration
Key Concepts
inner truth
beauty of being
transcendence
Practical Applications
- creative writing
- mindful relationship building
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we recognize when a relationship becomes superficial?
- What practices help maintain a poetic perspective in daily life?
