--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whoever understands how to do a kindness…" description: "\"Whoever understands how to do a kindness when he fares well would be a friend better than any possession.\" — Sophocles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/sophocles-370_better_whoever-understands-how-to-do-a-kindness_86929.png" --- # Whoever understands how to do a kindness when he fares… ![“Whoever understands how to do a kindness when he fares well would be a friend better than any possession.” quote by Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/sophocles-370_better_whoever-understands-how-to-do-a-kindness_86929.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/sophocles-370_better_whoever-understands-how-to-do-a-kindness_86929.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/sophocles-370_better_whoever-understands-how-to-do-a-kindness_86929.png) > “Whoever understands how to do a kindness when he fares well would be a friend better than any possession.” [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True friendship is demonstrated by generous acts toward those who are already successful, surpassing material possessions in value. **In simple terms:** Kindness to the well-off is the highest form of friendship. Key Takeaway Friendship measured by selfless generosity. Themes friendship generosity values materialism Mood thoughtful optimistic Type philosophical moral When to use this quote - celebrating a colleague's promotion - supporting a wealthy friend in need - philanthropy toward affluent communities Key Concepts ethical behavior social capital Practical Applications - Practice random acts of kindness toward successful peers - Cultivate gratitude for non‑tangible relationships Questions to Reflect On - How does generosity toward the privileged reshape our own sense of worth? - Can material possessions ever truly replace relational wealth? A Different Perspective Assumes the well‑off are receptive to kindness; some may view it as patronizing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Better Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-possession-1090930/) [Fares Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fares-friend-1090929/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friend Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend-better-334651/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [He](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Understands Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understands-kindness-1090928/) ## Related quotes > [The use of riches is better than their possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-de-rojas/the-use-of-riches-is-better-than-their-possession/) [Fernando de Rojas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-de-rojas/) > [The greater the Difficulty the more Glory in surmounting it, and the loss of false Joys secures to us a much better Possession of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/the-greater-the-difficulty-the-more-glory-in-surmounting-it-and-the/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/one-who-knows-how-to-show-and-to-accept-kindness-will-be-a-friend/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [I might give my life for my friend, but he had better not ask me to do up a parcel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logan-pearsall-smith/i-might-give-my-life-for-my-friend-but-he-had-better-not-ask-me-to-do/) [Logan Pearsall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logan-pearsall-smith/) > [It's not so much that the old friend is a better friend. 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You better get a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/is-heather-mcdonald-your-best-friend-you-better-get-a-new-one/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [“Ten minutes with a genuine friend is better than years spent with anyone less.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-woods/ten-minutes-with-a-genuine-friend-is-better-than-years-spent-with/) [Crystal Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-woods/) > [A good and real friend is always better than a fake lover who cheates in the name of love …whr as a real friend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priya/a-good-and-real-friend-is-always-better-than-a-fake-lover-who-cheates/) [Priya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priya/) > [You can talk about anyone you want but as soon as you start talking about my best friend you better run and hide you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-talk-about-anyone-you-want-but-as-soon-as-you-start-talking/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Sophocles > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [God's dice always have a lucky roll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/god-s-dice-always-have-a-lucky-roll/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A fool cannot be an actor, though an actor may act a fool's part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-fool-cannot-be-an-actor-though-an-actor-may-act-a-fool-s-part/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Go then if you must, but remember, no matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/go-then-if-you-must-but-remember-no-matter-how-foolish-your-deeds/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Man's worst ill is stubbornness of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/man-s-worst-ill-is-stubbornness-of-heart/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A lie never lives to be old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-lie-never-lives-to-be-old/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [How dangerous can false reasoning prove!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/how-dangerous-can-false-reasoning-prove/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Why should man fear since chance is all in all for him, and he can clearly foreknow nothing? Best to live lightly, as one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/why-should-man-fear-since-chance-is-all-in-all-for-him-and-he-can/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“But life takes sudden twists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/but-life-takes-sudden-twists/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [When ice appears out of doors, and boys seize it up while it is solid, at first they experience new pleasures. But in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/when-ice-appears-out-of-doors-and-boys-seize-it-up-while-it-is-solid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [For God hates utterly the bray of bragging tongues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/for-god-hates-utterly-the-bray-of-bragging-tongues/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/i-have-nothing-but-contempt-for-the-kind-of-governor-who-is-afraid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“Not from Hades' black and universal lake can you lift him. Not by groaning, not by prayers. 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