Years ago, when I was a student at Taylor and Jay Kesler was still the president, I remember him saying in chapel that a man should count himself lucky if he had enough good friends to carry his casket when he is gone. At the time, I thought that pretty morose, but now I think that's a pretty good take on things. At this stage of my life, I am probably in need of a couple more friends than previously (hence Gym Class, below), but I still feel like a lucky man because I can name four men who have been good friends to me the last several years and will likely remain so into the future.
One of those men sent me a selection from a book by William Thayer called Gaining Favor with God and Men. He had highlighted portions which he thought applied to our friendship these past few years, one of which says:
A good companion is better than fortune, for a fortune cannot purchase those elements of character which make companionship a blessing. The best companion is one who is wiser and better than ourselves, for we are inspired by his wisdom and virtue to nobler deeds. Greater wisdom and goodness than we possess lifts us higher mentally and morally.
I can't say it any better than that. Amen.
1 comment:
Interesting to know.
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