In the Irish Celtic tradition there is a beautiful understanding of the power of friendship – a deep, spiritual belief in the importance of connection, trust and openness between two friends.
In part 1 of this series on Irish Wisdom And Friendship, we explored many old Irish sayings which emphasize the bonds of friendship. Today, in part 2, I thought I might share some beautiful quotations from some of Ireland’s most influential scholars and writers.
Quotations From John O’Donohue:
John O’Donohue (1956-2008), author of the international best-seller Anam Cara, believed in divine, soulful friendship. Anam Cara literally means ‘soul friend.’ Here are some of my favorite quotations from his profound writings:
“Real friendship or love is not manufactured or
achieved by an act of will or intention. Friendship is
always an act of recognition.”
– John O’Donohue from Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
“Your noble friend will not accept pretension but will
gently and very firmly confront you with your own
blindness. Such friendship is creative and critical;
it is willing to negotiate awkward and uneven
territories of contradiction and woundedness.”
– John O’Donohue from Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
“One of the tasks of true friendship is to listen
compassionately and creatively to the hidden
silences. Often secrets are not revealed in words,
they lie concealed in the silence between the words
or in the depth of what is unsayable between two
people.”
– John O’Donohue from Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
Quotations From William Butler Yeats:
“Choose your companions from the best;
Who draws a bucket with the rest,
Soon topples down the hill.”
– William Butler Yeats
“Think where man’s glory most begins and ends,
And say my glory was I had such friends.”
– William Butler Yeats
“There are no strangers here,
Only friends you haven’t yet met.”
– William Butler Yeats
Quotations From Oliver Goldsmith:
“Pity and friendship are two passions incompatible with each other.”
– Oliver Goldsmith
“Friendship is a disinterested commerce between equals:
love, an abject intercourse between tyrants and slaves.”
– Oliver Goldsmith
Quotations From Oscar Wilde:
“Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship,
and it is far the best ending for one.”
– Oscar Wilde
“An acquaintance that begins with a compliment
is sure to develop into a real friendship.”
– Oscar Wilde
My Favorite Quotation Of All:
“But the greatest love: the love above all loves,
Even greater than that of a mother…
Is the tender, passionate, undying love,
Of one beer drunken slob for another.”
~ Irish Ballad
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
Cheryl Barker says
August 8, 2012 at 12:36 pmI think my favorite of the ones you’ve posted is from Yeats: “There are no strangers here,
Only friends you haven’t yet met.” Love that thought!
Irish American Mom says
August 8, 2012 at 1:49 pmI agree Cheryl – what beautiful, simple words by Yeats. In a way it describes the world of blogging, where I have not found any strangers, just many friends I now have the pleasure of meeting. Thanks for all your lovely comments.
[email protected] says
August 8, 2012 at 4:51 pmHi Mairead, I wish I could wax eloquently quoting the famous poets and scholars of Ireland, but alas a man needs to know his limits, Hoping all is well,
Cheers,
Brian.
Irish American Mom says
August 8, 2012 at 10:20 pmBrian – Don’t we all wish we could wax poetically like the very best of Ireland’s poets and scholars? So let’s be grateful for the medium of blogging, where our words don’t have to perfect. Hope you are enjoying the rest of your summer. Best wishes, Mairead
Melissa says
August 8, 2012 at 11:39 pm““There are no strangers here,
Only friends you haven’t yet met.”” ~Yeats
One of my favorite quotes of all times, from one of my favorite poets. It does so distill the way the Irish and the Irish descent feel. Such lovely quotes! Thank you for sharing them. 🙂
Grammy says
August 11, 2012 at 4:55 pm“Is the tender, passionate, undying love,
Of one beer drunken slob for another.”
Bahahahahahhaha! YES!!
Irish American Mom says
August 11, 2012 at 6:49 pmI love that one too, Grammy – it just sums it all up perfectly.
Chris B says
September 10, 2012 at 12:15 pmLove that last one!!! Didn’t expect it either which made it extra fun! Good way to begin a Monday afternoon!
Irish American Mom says
September 10, 2012 at 8:54 pmChris – I couldn’t resist throwing that last one in at the end – it really is a classic.
Mairead