I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.
Interpretation
True friends remain consistent and supportive, regardless of changes in circumstances.
This quote by Plutarch emphasizes the importance of genuine friendship, suggesting that true friends should stand by each other through changes instead of simply conforming or agreeing out of convenience. The comparison to a shadow highlights that a superficial companion is not truly valuable, as they lack the depth and support that a real friend provides.
In practice
Using this quote in a speech about the qualities of true friendship.
Sometimes small incidents, rather than glorious exploits, give us the best evidence of character. So, as portrait painters are more exact in doing the face, where the character is revealed, than the rest of the body, I must be allowed to give my more particular attention to the marks of the souls of men.
It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only belief - the other contempt.
Come back with your shield - or on it
The richest soil, if uncultivated, produces the rankest weeds.
For the correct analogy for the mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.
Our senses through ignorance of Reality, falsely tell us that what appears to be, is. FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
We must meet our duty and convince the world that we are just friends and brave enemies.
There's something about losing friends, particularly young people, where it's not something that you get over. I don't believe there's a healing process.
The only way of really finding out a man's true character is to play golf with him. In no other walk of life does the cloven hoof so quickly display itself.
The loss of a friend is like that of a limb; time may heal the anguish of the wound, but the loss cannot be repaired.
For I do not want any one to read my book carelessly. I have suffered too much grief in setting down these memories. Six years have already passed since my friend went away from me, with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it is to make sure that I shall not forget him. To forget a friend is sad. Not every one has had a friend. And if I forget him, I may become like the grown-ups who are no longer interested in anything but figures.
Because our expression is imperfect we need friendship to fill up the imperfections.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.