Quote by Henry David Thoreau
One may discover a new side to his most intimate friend when for the first time he hears him speak in public. He will be stranger to him as he is more familiar to the audience. The longest intimacy could not foretell how he would behave then.
Summary
This quote highlights the idea that watching someone speak in public can reveal new aspects of their personality. It suggests that even the closest friends may not fully know or understand each other until they witness how they interact with a larger audience. The quote emphasizes that despite long-lasting intimacy, true behavior in a public setting remains unpredictable and may differ from what both the friend and the audience expect or anticipate.