“Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God’s greatest gifts. It involves many things, but above all the power of going out of one’s self and appreciating what is noble and loving in another.” – Thomas Hughes

“Do not save your loving speeches for your friends till they are dead; do not write them on their tombstones, speak them rather now instead.” – Anna Cummins

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.” – Henri Nouwen

“All love that has not friendship for its base, is like a mansion built upon the sand.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox

“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” – Amy Poehler

“Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.” – Richard Bach

“Men kick friendship around like a football, but it doesn’t seem to crack. Women treat it like glass and it goes to pieces.“ – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

“Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them.” – Anna Taylor

“True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.” – Charles Caleb Colton

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” – William Shakespeare

“The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.” – Mark Twain

“I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.” – Robert Brault

“If you have two friends in your lifetime, you’re lucky. If you have one good friend, you’re more than lucky.” – S.E. Hinton

“The royal road to a man’s heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most.” – Dale Carnegie

“Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” – Albert Camus

“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.” – Brandi Snyder

Free Exclusive Happiness Tips

Join the 80,000 people that subscribe to the Positivity Newsletter and you’ll get practical tips on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and more each week.

• 21 Things I Wish They Had Taught Me in School.
• 7 Steps to Stop Being So Lazy.
• 10 Things You Can Do When Life Sucks.

About the Author

Henrik Edberg is the creator of the Positivity Blog and has written weekly articles here since 2006. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Gothenburg www.hookupdate.net/kink-dating/ and has been featured on Lifehack, The Huffington Post and Paulo Coelho’s blog. Click here to learn more…

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” – Audrey Hepburn

“The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when someone asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.” – Henry David Thoreau

“A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself – and especially to feel, or not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at any moment is fine with them. That’s what real love amounts to – letting a person be what he really is.” – Jim Morrison