Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays Frie
What is so great as friendship, let us carry with what grandeur of spirit we can. Let us be silent, -- so we may hear the whisper of the gods. Let us not interfere. Who set you to cast about what you should say to the select souls, or how to say any thing to such? No matter how ingenious, no matter how graceful and bland. There are innumerable degrees of folly and wisdom, and for you to say aught is to be frivolous. Wait, and thy heart shall speak. Wait until the necessary and everlasting overpowers you, until day and night avail themselves of your lips. The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.http://www.rwe.org/comm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=129&Itemid=161
Summary
This quote emphasizes the importance and greatness of friendship. It suggests that friendship should be cherished and carried with a grand spirit. The quote advises the need for silence in order to hear the subtle guidance of the gods and cautions against interfering in the lives of others. It criticizes the tendency to overthink what to say or how to behave around acquaintances, as true friendship should come naturally. The quote also highlights the idea that the only way to have a friend is to be one and that virtue is its own reward.