“A False Friend and a Shadow Attend Only While the Sun Shines” : On The Gravity of Friendship, From the Book of Proverbs to Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac
Friendship, often underestimated, is a vital aspect of our lives. It influences our happiness, impacts our self-esteem, and plays a pivotal role in our mental and emotional wellbeing. However, the profound significance of friendship is sometimes taken lightly, leading to misconceptions, hasty judgments, and eventually, wrong decisions.
To understand the depth of friendship, we must first accept its serious implications. The people we choose to associate with can significantly mold our thoughts, actions, and overall character. Consequently, friends are not just companions for leisure; they are our mirrors, supporters, critics, and, at times, our life guides. Therefore, assessing the sincerity and worthiness of our friends should be done cautiously and consciously, keeping in mind the profound impact these relationships can have on our lives.
In the midst of the bleak shadows cast by the Holocaust, one survivor’s story emerges as a testament to the gravity of true friendship. A Jewish woman, adopted an unorthodox yet profound criterion for choosing her friends. She would only build friendships with those to whom she could pose the question, “Will you hide me if they come for me?” and receive a “yes” in response. Her friends weren’t simply companions; they were potential lifesavers, allies in a world where trust carried the weight of life and death. This approach to friendship, borne out of necessity, highlighted the extent to which genuine companionship goes beyond shared interests or laughter.
As for Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack, it offers an interesting perspective on friendship. One such saying is, “A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines,” which reiterates the notion that the sincerity of friendships is often revealed in times of hardship. Franklin, through this saying, alludes to the fickleness of fair-weather friends, underscoring the importance of discerning between true and false friendships. This proverb serves as a timeless reminder that the value of friendship lies in its resilience and constancy, particularly during the bleakest times.
Lastly, the Book of Proverbs 14:20 from the Hebrew Bible states, “The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.” This verse encapsulates a harsh reality of human behavior, suggesting that wealth and prosperity often determine the number and “loyalty” of friends one has. Much like the above story and Franklin’s proverb, this biblical verse illustrates that friendships can sometimes be built on shaky, superficial grounds. It highlights the importance of looking beyond external factors when assessing the authenticity of a friend and underscores the need for genuine, unconditional friendship.
In the final analysis, the magnitude of true friendship is beyond measure. The wisdom embedded in Franklin’s sayings, and the timeless insights from the Book of Proverbs remind us of the need to choose our friends wisely. Nurturing these bonds with respect, understanding, and honesty lays the foundation for relationships that withstand the test of time. Ultimately, in the grand scheme of life, these cherished relationships light our paths, enrich our experiences, and undoubtedly mark our journey with profound imprints of shared camaraderie and love.
