Friendship is one of the core values of society. Individuals seek out other individuals of similiar interests and
backgrounds. However, individuals can have a diverse cluster of friends in their every day group. Often, they take on many
different roles throughout their lifetimes, and the roles sometimes switch when necessary.
The third President of the United States Thomas Jefferson once said about friendship, "But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in
the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine". He is talking about one
of the best qualities in a friendship in which the friend takes on a supportive role in good and bad times. He utilizes
symbolism in this quote to note the these healthy qualities in good (sunshine) and bad (shade) times within this belief
saying.
19th Century American author George Santayana, a 19th
Century American philosopher, once wrote "One's friends are that part of the human race with which one can be human".
It shows the diversity in backgrounds friendship.
Personal Exercises:
* Name three common traits your friends have.
* What 3 qualities do you try to be to your friends?
* Name 3 ways your oldest friendship has evolved over time.
