Irish Wisdom – The Power Of Friendship (Part 1)

The power and importance of friendship is recognized in Ireland's ancient sagas and myths, in her wealth of proverbs and blessings, and in her literature both old and new.

Today I thought I might share some of these beautiful quotations from yesterday and today. As I compiled my list, my blog post grew longer and longer. So many wonderful old words reflect the importance of friendship on life's journey, I decided to break this post into a two-part series.

Today, I share some wonderful Irish proverbs and blessings. In part 2, we will focus on some famous Irish quotations on the topic of friendship.

Irish Proverbs:

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There are good ships,

and there are wood ships,

the ships that sail the sea.

But the best ships are friendships,

and may they always be.

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Two shorten the road!

Friends are better than gold!

Friendship is a fine thing, though bitter is the parting.

There is no need like the lack of a friend.

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Friends are like fiddle-strings -

they must not be screwed too tightly.

"May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty."

Don’t be hard and don’t be soft,

And don’t desert your friend for your own share.

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Always remember to forget,

The friends that proved untrue.

But never forget to remember

Those that have stuck by you!

Vintage painting of flower bouquet in hands

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'Tis better to buy a small bouquet

And give to your friend this very day,

Than a bushel of roses white and red

To lay on his coffin after he's dead.

A friend's eye is a good mirror.

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"A best friend is like a four leaf clover:

hard to find and lucky to have."

"Lucky stars above you,

Sunshine on your way,

Many friends to love you,

Joy in work and play-

Laughter to outweigh each care,

In your heart a song-

And gladness waiting everywhere

All your whole life long!"

"May your home always be too small to hold all your friends."

"May the roof above us never fall in,

and may we friends gathered below never fall out."

Rainbow over a field and stone wall — Rainbow in the West of Ireland

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"Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers—

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours—

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!"

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"May you always have work for your hands to do.

May your pockets hold always a coin or two.

May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.

May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you.

And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you."

Black and white hands held together in a hand shake

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"May God give you....

For every storm a rainbow,

For every every tear a smile,

For every care a promise

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer."

Vintage card featuring a hand shake and shamrocks

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"May the friendships you make be those which endure

And all of your gray clouds be small ones for sure,

And trusting in Him to Whom we all pray,

May a song fill your heart every step of the way."

Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.

Slán agus beannacht,

(Goodbye and blessings)

Irish American Mom

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Irish Wisdom - The Power Of Friendship (Part 1)