What Are The Best Friendship Quotes?

Expressing how you feel to close friends can be challenging if you struggle to find the words. Finding a positive friendship quote to discuss may make your friend feel validated and special, and knowing that you are paying it forward to another person can also give you a sense of contentment.

Old friend quotes

A friendship that lasts for years can be a valuable dynamic full of laughter, loyalty, and memories. Below are a few old friend quotes and their meanings. 

"The best mirror is an old friend." — George Herbert

This quote describes how an old friend can give you a better picture of yourself than a looking glass. Old friends are often truthful and honest and tell it like it is.

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend." — John Leonard

A new friendship can be like planting a seed and watching it grow. In the beginning, relationships take time and nurture to survive. Once a friendship or baby plant gets bigger and stronger, it doesn't need as much attention to thrive. It can survive many adversities once it is mature and has gone through its primary growth period.

"The most valuable antiques are old friends." — H. Jackson Brown Jr.

An antique is an old item that has a nostalgic or monetary value. Old friendships can often be considered similar to these beloved items. 

Best friend quotes

A best friend is someone you consider your closest platonic friend. Your best friend might also be your partner, however. Below are a few quotes about these types of friendships. 

"A best friend is like a four-leaf clover; hard to find, lucky to have." — Unknown

Four leaf-clovers are often challenging to find. Once you find a precious, rare clover, it is considered lucky. The same may be true of a best friend.

"A good friend knows all your best stories. A best friend lived them all with you." — Unknown

You may tell good friends stories about your trips, laugh feats, embarrassments, shopping sprees, and relationships. However, you might not have to tell your best friend those stories because they are often with you when you experience them.

"A best friend sees the first tear, catches the second, and stops the third." — Unknown

You may sometimes feel like crying but hold in your tears because you don't want others to see you in a vulnerable position. Your best friend can often see past those tears and may be there to support you in your darkest moments. They may also know what to say to keep you from crying more. 

Book and movie quotes

Books and movies often have significant insight into relationships and friendships. Below are a few famous friendship quotes. 

"Why did you do this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it! I've never done anything for you."

"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing."

—E.B. White, "Charlotte's Web"

Being a healthy friend, day in and day out may mean more to someone than a few significant demonstrative acts.

"Only a true friend would be that truly honest," --- Shrek

Although Shrek is a children's movie, it can teach much about what friends might value in a relationship. Honesty and trust are often the most cited values in close relationships, according to studies.

"I found out what the secret to life is—friends. Best friends." ― Fannie Flagg, "Fried Green Tomatoes"

Friends raise the level of joy and contentment in the lives of many. Humans are social creatures, and studies show that a social system can improve mental and physical health. 

"Dear George: Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." ― "It's a Wonderful Life"

If you have seen "It's a Wonderful Life," you know that George Bailey feels his life is a failure due to a series of mishaps. This quote assures him that his life is not a failure because he has had many friends who stood up for him, supported him, and wanted what was best for him. If you have encircled yourself with positive friends, you may feel less alone, and more of a success, than without these people. 

"True friends are always together in spirit." ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables"

You may see some friends every day. However, you may have other friends you don't see often or don't see at all anymore. In your heart, however, you may know that they are there for you, are thinking about you, and love you even though you aren't physically together.

Quotes for getting through tough times

Going through a difficult moment can be challenging on your own. The following quotes discuss how friends help each other through tough times. 

"Good friends make the good times better and the hard times easier." — Unknown

Having a friend to lean on can make you feel less alone when going through a difficult situation. 

"Hard times will always reveal true friends." — Unknown

Some friends may leave a friendship when someone is experiencing hardship. True friends are there to weather the storm, offer support, and show love.

"It's the friends who you can call at 4 am that matter." ― Marlene Dietrich

There's a saying that nothing good happens after midnight. If you are calling someone at 4 am, it may be about a difficult situation. If you can call a friend at 4 am without hesitation or worry that they will be upset, you may consider this friend a true friend. 

Funny friendship quotes

Studies show that laughter is one of the ingredients to reduce stress in one's life. Below are some quotes about friendship to make you laugh. 

"Friends come and go like the waves on the ocean…but the true ones stay like an octopus on your face." — Unknown

Just like waves, surface friends or acquaintances may come and go. If you have true, invested friends, they may stick with you as an octopus will adhere to other animals or objects. 

"Friends are people who know you well and like you anyway." — Unknown

Everyone has quirks; no one is perfect. You may let your true friends see every side of you because you are comfortable with them, and they, in turn, show you their baggage.

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." ― Oprah Winfrey

If you are riding in a limo, you may be going to a special event or having meaningful financial wealth. If you have to take a bus, your car may be in the shop, or you may not own a car at all. The limo represents positive moments, and the bus represents the bad times. People often look for friends who can help them through the hard times to celebrate happy times in the future. 

"We'll be best friends forever because you know too much." — Unknown

You may tell your friend things which you do not give to others. This quote is said tongue-in-cheek, with the hope that even if a friendship dissolves, one or both individuals won't go around airing the other's secrets. 

"True friendship is when you walk into their house, and your Wi-Fi connects automatically." — Unknown

You may not give your Wi-Fi password to just any person. For this reason, this quote talks about how friends often spend so much time at each other's homes, and are so trusted that they give Wi-Fi passwords.

Coping with a challenging moment 

Friendships can be enriching but may take work to maintain. If you have difficulty expressing your feelings to others or have any relationship concerns with which you struggle to cope on your own, you might consider contacting a counselor for support. An unbiased, objective professional can help you better understand yourself and your relationships with others.

If you are worried about waiting for weeks for an appointment or don't want to meet with a provider in person, you can also work with someone through an online platform like BetterHelp. With thousands of therapists available online, it can be easy to switch to another if you don't "click" with a particular counselor. 

Research shows online therapy is an effective option with many added benefits. One study by Brigham Young University researchers found that technology-based treatment could be as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy, with the potential to be delivered at a lower cost and with more convenience.