by D-Source

Created on: December 30, 2008   Last Updated: January 19, 2009

The question is: Is it better to have a small or a large group of friends? I believe it is nearly impossible to have a large group of friends. I think it is important to first offer my definition of friendship. This is not an official definition, of-course, but I believe you will all agree that it is a long, but acceptable definition. A friend is someone who will make personal sacrifices for your benefit. He or she is a person who cares about what you say, what you do and how you feel. He or she genuinely enjoys your company and will defend you when necessary. They will do their best to never let you down and will sometimes do and say things that you don't like, because they believe it is best for you. They have your best interest at heart. They don't care how much money you have or what your status is. They are there for you when you rise and when you fall. They tend to laugh when you laugh and cry when you cry. You are never alone when you have a true friend. And you are loved. I could probably go on and on, but you get the idea.

When considering this definition, how many of us can truly count more than a few people that we have ever known in our entire lives that meet this description? Some of us will struggle to count one. Some will count a few, but the majority of us will not be able to count enough to qualify as a large group. And out of those of us who can count a few, only a few of us will be able to say that they are all currently in our circle of friends. Some of us had true friends at some point in our lives and have lost them for one reason or another. These reasons can vary from death to marriage to distance and sometimes reasons we would rather not admit. Many of us have been fools and have let small things ruin friendships we have had and I submit to you that the loss of a true friend is a true life tradgedy. If you loose your home, a true friend will make their home your home. Some people value money more than anything. A million dollars will make you rich but it won't neccesarily make you happy. What is all the money in the world without a friend. When you have that kind of money, it is difficult to even know who your true friends are. Jealousy, greed, treachery, deceit, crime, gossip, the absence of privacy and the struggle to keep what you have can consume your life and lead to great unhappiness. You may have a large circle of people who will do anything for you, but they are not your friends. God help you if your think that they are! And when it is gone, who will be left? Only the true friends, which may be none. When you loose that money, you will be OK, if you have a true friend. Misery is what you have without one. Many of you will not agree with me on this, but there are many, many sad and lonely rich people and a lot of people who don't have much who are much happier because they have friends. It, of-course, depends on what your values are. I, personally, don't need a million dollars. I'm happy if all my bills are paid and I have family and friends to share my life with. "To each; his own."

To the ones who have a large circle of friends, I say "Be cautious!". Consider the reasons why you are surrounded by these people. I could be wrong and there is an exception to every rule, but the exceptions will be few and difficult to find. The primary reason it is best to have a small group of friends is because it is nearly impossible to have a large group of true friends. If your circle of friends is large, I would question how many of them are really friends.

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