--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But in our experience, man is cheap and…" description: "\"But in our experience, man is cheap and friendship wants its deep sense. We affect to dwell with our friends in their absence, but we do not; when deed..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_absence_but-in-our-experience-man-is-cheap-and-f_2256285.png" --- # But in our experience, man is cheap and friendship wants… ![“But in our experience, man is cheap and friendship wants its deep sense. We affect to dwell with our friends in their absence, but we do not; when deed, word, or letter comes not, they let us go.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_absence_but-in-our-experience-man-is-cheap-and-f_2256285.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_absence_but-in-our-experience-man-is-cheap-and-f_2256285.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_absence_but-in-our-experience-man-is-cheap-and-f_2256285.png) > “But in our experience, man is cheap and friendship wants its deep sense. We affect to dwell with our friends in their absence, but we do not; when deed, word, or letter comes not, they let us go.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## 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 valuable yet often superficial; true depth requires presence, which is lacking when we are absent or silent. **In simple terms:** Friendship needs true presence, not just words. Key Takeaway Cultivate genuine, present friendships. Themes friendship presence authenticity Mood reflective warm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - social gatherings - letter writing - support groups - conflict mediation Key Concepts sociology psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you stay present for friends despite distance? - What actions deepen friendship beyond words? A Different Perspective Physical or emotional distance can erode deep bonds. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Cheap Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheap-friendship-5174379/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Dwell Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwell-friends-5174381/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friends Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends-absence-5174382/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Friendship Wants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship-wants-5174380/) [Letters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letters/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [A lady with whom I was riding in the forest said to me that the woods always seemed to her to wait, as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-lady-with-whom-i-was-riding-in-the-forest-said-to-me-that-the-woods/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Sleep takes off the costume of circumstance, arms us with terrible freedom, so that every will rushes to a deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/sleep-takes-off-the-costume-of-circumstance-arms-us-with-terrible/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coolness and absence of heat and haste indicate fine qualities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coolness-and-absence-of-heat-and-haste-indicate-fine-qualities/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Every man finds a sanction for his simplest claims and deeds, in decisions of his own mind, which he calls Truth and Holiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-man-finds-a-sanction-for-his-simplest-claims-and-deeds-in/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In the order of nature, we cannot render benefits to those from whom we receive them, or only seldom. 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