---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The chain of friendship, however bright…"
description: "\"The chain of friendship, however bright, does not stand the attrition of constant close contact.\" — Walter Scott"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/walter-scott-775_attrition_the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-d_3061217.png"
---

#  The chain of friendship, however bright, does not stand…

![“The chain of friendship, however bright, does not stand the attrition of constant close contact.” quote by Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/walter-scott-775_attrition_the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-d_3061217.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/walter-scott-775_attrition_the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-d_3061217.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/walter-scott-775_attrition_the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-d_3061217.png)

> “The chain of friendship, however bright, does not stand the attrition of constant close contact.”

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Friendship can fade when people are overly familiar and constantly together.

**In simple terms:** Too much closeness erodes friendship.

Key Takeaway

Balance intimacy with personal space.

Themes

friendship intimacy boundaries

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

advisory philosophical

When to use this quote

- family gatherings
- work teams
- long‑term friendships
- roommates

Key Concepts

social dynamics relationship fatigue

Questions to Reflect On

- How much personal space do you need?
- Can constant contact weaken trust?

A Different Perspective

Even close friends need occasional distance to maintain respect.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Attrition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attrition/) [Chains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chains/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/)

## Related quotes

> [It is important for everyone to keep in close contact and preferably be in physical proximity with their loved ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/it-is-important-for-everyone-to-keep-in-close-contact-and-preferably/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [I know we havent kept in close contact lately, but I want you to know that I am thrilled to take part in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-we-havent-kept-in-close-contact-lately-but-i-want-you-to-know/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Realistically speaking, I don't think anyone can maintain close contact and close communication with more than 15 people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-bankman-fried/realistically-speaking-i-don-t-think-anyone-can-maintain-close/)

[Sam Bankman-Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-bankman-fried/)

> [Michael J. Fox is nice. I'm not in close contact with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-f-wilson/michael-j-fox-is-nice-i-m-not-in-close-contact-with-him/)

[Thomas F. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-f-wilson/)

> [“You might say that S. has only himself to blame, that it is entirely his choice to fight this fight, to live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-dorst/you-might-say-that-s-has-only-himself-to-blame-that-it-is-entirely/)

[Doug Dorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-dorst/)

> [Originally I wanted to be a diplomat, and by attrition I started giving up that idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gimlette/originally-i-wanted-to-be-a-diplomat-and-by-attrition-i-started/)

[John Gimlette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gimlette/)

> [But I don't want massive layoffs of anyone - public or private. We are planning on shrinking government through attrition and reform, not through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-walker/but-i-don-t-want-massive-layoffs-of-anyone-public-or-private-we-are/)

[Scott Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-walker/)

> [It's a war of attrition. If you have patience and a modicum of faith in yourself your chances are not too bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-bowen/it-s-a-war-of-attrition-if-you-have-patience-and-a-modicum-of-faith/)

[Julie Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-bowen/)

> [Current condition of the BYU football program? I think it's in good shape. We've got some good young players. We've had two or three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lavell-edwards/current-condition-of-the-byu-football-program-i-think-it-s-in-good/)

[LaVell Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lavell-edwards/)

> [Well, I think we need to have attrition by enforcement. We need to secure our borders. We need to enforce our laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/well-i-think-we-need-to-have-attrition-by-enforcement-we-need-to/)

[Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/)

> [Employing more women at all levels of a company, from new hires to senior leaders, creates a virtuous cycle. Companies become more attuned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-wojcicki/employing-more-women-at-all-levels-of-a-company-from-new-hires-to/)

[Susan Wojcicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-wojcicki/)

> [The earlier you invest, the higher that attrition rate is because it's compounded. We have a more scientific method of investment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mcclure/the-earlier-you-invest-the-higher-that-attrition-rate-is-because-it-s/)

[Dave McClure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mcclure/)

> [I have yet to met a liberal who can withstand the attrition of prolonged discussion of the unessentials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-sharpe/i-have-yet-to-met-a-liberal-who-can-withstand-the-attrition-of/)

[Tom Sharpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-sharpe/)

> [I think the sheer attrition of American global domination will create circumstances in which the Chinese will be tempted to reach out for more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/i-think-the-sheer-attrition-of-american-global-domination-will-create/)

[Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/)

> [We fought a military war; our opponents fought a political one. We sought physical attrition; our opponents aimed for our psychological exhaustion. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-fought-a-military-war-our-opponents-fought-a-political-one-we/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Walter Scott

> [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [Where shall the lover rest, Whom the fates sever From his true maiden's breast, Parted for ever? Where, through groves deep and high, Sounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/where-shall-the-lover-rest-whom-the-fates-sever-from-his-true-maiden/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [O! many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant! And many a word, at random spoken, May soothe or wound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/o-many-a-shaft-at-random-sent-finds-mark-the-archer-little-meant-and/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [And better had they ne'er been born, Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/and-better-had-they-ne-er-been-born-who-read-to-doubt-or-read-to-scorn/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [Where is the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land as Scotland?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/where-is-the-coward-that-would-not-dare-to-fight-for-such-a-land-as/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [Loud o'er my head though awful thunders roll, And vivid lightnings flash from pole to pole, Yet 'tis Thy voice, my God, that bids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/loud-o-er-my-head-though-awful-thunders-roll-and-vivid-lightnings/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [The race of humankind would perish did they cease to aid each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-race-of-humankind-would-perish-did-they-cease-to-aid-each-other/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [“but he had only received that sort of answer usually given by those who are more obstinate in following their own course, than strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/but-he-had-only-received-that-sort-of-answer-usually-given-by-those/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [“Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, and men below, and the saints above, for love is heaven, and heaven is love. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/love-rules-the-court-the-camp-the-grove-and-men-below-and-the-saints/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [Fortune may raise up or abuse the ordinary mortal, but the sage and the soldier should have minds beyond her control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/fortune-may-raise-up-or-abuse-the-ordinary-mortal-but-the-sage-and/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [But woe awaits a country when She sees the tears of bearded men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/but-woe-awaits-a-country-when-she-sees-the-tears-of-bearded-men/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [In peace, Love tunes the shepherd's reed; In war, he mounts the warrior's steed; In halls, in gay attire is seen; In hamlets, dances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/in-peace-love-tunes-the-shepherd-s-reed-in-war-he-mounts-the-warrior/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [Honour is a homicide and a bloodspiller, that gangs about making frays in the street; but Credit is a decent honest man, that sits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/honour-is-a-homicide-and-a-bloodspiller-that-gangs-about-making-frays/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [“The lovers of the chase say that the hare feels more agony during the pursuit of the greyhounds, than when she is struggling in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-lovers-of-the-chase-say-that-the-hare-feels-more-agony-during-the/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [I am she, O most bucolical juvenal, under whose charge are placed the milky mothers of the herd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/i-am-she-o-most-bucolical-juvenal-under-whose-charge-are-placed-the/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

[Explore all 372 Walter Scott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

## More Attrition quotes

> [We fought a military war; our opponents fought a political one. We sought physical attrition; our opponents aimed for our psychological exhaustion. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-fought-a-military-war-our-opponents-fought-a-political-one-we/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I think the sheer attrition of American global domination will create circumstances in which the Chinese will be tempted to reach out for more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/i-think-the-sheer-attrition-of-american-global-domination-will-create/)

[Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/)

> [I have yet to met a liberal who can withstand the attrition of prolonged discussion of the unessentials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-sharpe/i-have-yet-to-met-a-liberal-who-can-withstand-the-attrition-of/)

[Tom Sharpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-sharpe/)

> [The earlier you invest, the higher that attrition rate is because it's compounded. We have a more scientific method of investment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mcclure/the-earlier-you-invest-the-higher-that-attrition-rate-is-because-it-s/)

[Dave McClure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mcclure/)

> [Employing more women at all levels of a company, from new hires to senior leaders, creates a virtuous cycle. Companies become more attuned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-wojcicki/employing-more-women-at-all-levels-of-a-company-from-new-hires-to/)

[Susan Wojcicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-wojcicki/)

> [Well, I think we need to have attrition by enforcement. We need to secure our borders. We need to enforce our laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/well-i-think-we-need-to-have-attrition-by-enforcement-we-need-to/)

[Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/)

> [Current condition of the BYU football program? I think it's in good shape. We've got some good young players. We've had two or three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lavell-edwards/current-condition-of-the-byu-football-program-i-think-it-s-in-good/)

[LaVell Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lavell-edwards/)

> [It's a war of attrition. If you have patience and a modicum of faith in yourself your chances are not too bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-bowen/it-s-a-war-of-attrition-if-you-have-patience-and-a-modicum-of-faith/)

[Julie Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-bowen/)

> [But I don't want massive layoffs of anyone - public or private. We are planning on shrinking government through attrition and reform, not through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-walker/but-i-don-t-want-massive-layoffs-of-anyone-public-or-private-we-are/)

[Scott Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-walker/)

> [Originally I wanted to be a diplomat, and by attrition I started giving up that idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gimlette/originally-i-wanted-to-be-a-diplomat-and-by-attrition-i-started/)

[John Gimlette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gimlette/)

> [“You might say that S. has only himself to blame, that it is entirely his choice to fight this fight, to live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-dorst/you-might-say-that-s-has-only-himself-to-blame-that-it-is-entirely/)

[Doug Dorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-dorst/)

> [Im a maximalist, so Im probably not very elegant. My art is not a coup de grce. Its a war of attrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grayson-perry/im-a-maximalist-so-im-probably-not-very-elegant-my-art-is-not-a-coup/)

[Grayson Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grayson-perry/)

> [After The Bomb we developed a fairly good system for moving food around and have avoided the kind of massive famines that attract the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-r-ehrlich/after-the-bomb-we-developed-a-fairly-good-system-for-moving-food/)

[Paul R. Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-r-ehrlich/)

> [It is not labor that kills, but the small attritions of daily routine that wear us down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bedichek/it-is-not-labor-that-kills-but-the-small-attritions-of-daily-routine/)

Roy Bedichek

> [The war of attrition against the Zionist enemy will never cease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasser-arafat/the-war-of-attrition-against-the-zionist-enemy-will-never-cease/)

[Yasser Arafat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasser-arafat/)

[Browse all 45 Attrition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attrition/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The chain of friendship, however bright, does not stand the attrition of constant close contact.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Walter Scott"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-does-not-stand-the-attrition/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Attrition"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-does-not-stand-the-attrition/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/walter-scott-775_attrition_the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-d_3061217.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/walter-scott-775_attrition_the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-d_3061217.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/walter-scott-775_attrition_the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-d_3061217.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The chain of friendship, however bright, does not stand the attrition of constant close contact.” — Walter Scott",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Walter Scott",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The chain of friendship, however bright,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-does-not-stand-the-attrition/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-chain-of-friendship-however-bright-does-not-stand-the-attrition/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
