Some men storm imaginary Alps all their lives, and die in the foothills cursing difficulties which do not exist.
E. W. HoweRead
When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.
Interpretation
True friendship is about taking initiative and offering help without being asked.
This quote emphasizes the importance of being proactive in supporting a friend who is experiencing difficulties. It suggests that rather than simply asking how you can help, which may come off as insincere or irritating, one should take the initiative to thoughtfully identify a way to assist and then act on it, embodying true friendship and care.
In practice
In a group discussion about how to support friends, one might use this quote to highlight proactive support.
Some men storm imaginary Alps all their lives, and die in the foothills cursing difficulties which do not exist.
I'd rather trust nine people and have the 10th one stab me in the back. I'd take that fall in order to have those nine friendships or working relationships instead of having none. That's not living.
We must reach out our hand in friendship and dignity both to those who would befriend us and those who would be our enemy.
If you go looking for a friend, you're going to find they're very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you'll find them everywhere.
With every true friendship, we build more firmly the foundations on which the peace of the whole world rests.
You shone like a star. The funniest, wisest writer & the finest friend
However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship.
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