It has seemed to me lately more possible than I knew, to carry a friendship greatly, on one side, without due correspondence on the other. Why should I cumber myself with regrets that the receiver is not capacious? It never troubles the sun that some of his rays fall wide and vain into ungrateful space, and only a small part on the reflecting planet. Let your greatness educate the crude and cold companion. If he is unequal, he will presently pass away; but thou art enlarged by thy own shining, and, no longer a mate for frogs and worms, dost soar and burn with the gods of the empyrean. It is thought a disgrace to love unrequited. But the great will see that true love cannot be unrequited. True love transcends the unworthy object, and dwells and broods on the eternal, and when the poor interposed mask crumbles, it is not sad, but feels rid of so much earth, and feels its independency the surer. Yet these things may hardly be said without a sort of treachery to the relation. The essence of friendship is entireness, a total magnanimity and trust. It must not surmise or provide for infirmity. It treats its object as a god, that it may deify both.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
1803-1882
9 comments:
Those are great words from a great American poet, Jan.
I would like to contribute a simple German proverb on the topic of friendship:
A hedge between
keeps friendship green.
I have been to several blog meets over the past couple of years and so far I have not met anyone who was not about what I expected from what they write on their blogs. But then, I reckon that those who are trying to be someone they are not will not show at a blog meet, reckon?
Hi Jan, I was sitting on the floor watching the today show, while I was putting a barrett in my then 8 month old daughter's hair. I couldn't believe my eyes when the today show changed to the live footage of the first plane crashing into the towers. At the time they didn't know what was going on. Then came the second plane. I was so sad and discusted that this type of pure evil and hatred exists. I hope and pray to the lord, that these people are never able to do this to anyone again.
Another comment regarding friendship:
Our friend Lydia has posted the answers to the interview on her blog. I find them friendly, thoughtful, thought provoking and certainly worth reading. Lydia's blog:
http;//thegypsybutterfly.blogspot.com
Sorry, typing error! The link is:
http://thegypsybutterfly.blogspot.com
Olivia..I love proverbs from different countries. I have another German friend, but I have never heard that one before. Thanks!
LOL..I reckon you're about right, guyk. Of course, just because they don't show up doesn't mean they're hiding anything, either!
I know there are many happy people together today, due to an internet connection.
lydia..I share your sentiments, exactly.
Thanks for dropping by!
Olivia..I agree.
Post a Comment