Cultivate friends. To have a friend is to make life easier and richer. A friend is a present you give to yourself. But you cannot pick up a friend, nor purchase a friend. We have to discover a friend.
Friends are made by many acts; and friends are lost often by a single thoughtless act. You must grow up to deserve a friend… to have friends you must have friendliness in you: selfless and loving, with deep concern for others.
Perhaps dogs are lovable and become friends because they wag their tails… rarely their tongues. Learn to speak softly, always words of love and affection, then friends multiply. In short, the ability to love and express it in action are the requirements in gathering more and more friends. In fact, “love in action” is the heart of all religions.
Who is a friend? He, who comes to you with love and cheer, when all others have left you is a true friend. Such a true friend is discovered not by searching outside for the right person to befriend, but by your growing to be the right person, to deserve a friend!
— Swami Chinmayananda

Cultivate friends. To have a friend is to make life easier and richer. A friend is a present you give to yourself. But you cannot pick up a friend, nor purchase a friend. We have to discover a friend.

Friends are made by many acts; and friends are lost often by a single thoughtless act. You must grow up to deserve a friend… to have friends you must have friendliness in you: selfless and loving, with deep concern for others.

Perhaps dogs are lovable and become friends because they wag their tails… rarely their tongues. Learn to speak softly, always words of love and affection, then friends multiply. In short, the ability to love and express it in action are the requirements in gathering more and more friends. In fact, “love in action” is the heart of all religions.

Who is a friend? He, who comes to you with love and cheer, when all others have left you is a true friend. Such a true friend is discovered not by searching outside for the right person to befriend, but by your growing to be the right person, to deserve a friend!

***— Swami Chinmayananda***

The Eighth Precious Pearl - Nurture Friendships