The first step in the art of friendship is to be a friend: then making friends takes care of itself to be a friend a man should start by being a friend to himself by being true to his highest and best and by aligning himself with the enduring values of human life what make for growth and progress.
To be a friend a man should strive to be “like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” To be a source of refuge and strength to those who walk in darkness.
To be a friend a man should believe in the inherent goodness of men and in their potential greatness: he should treat men in big spirit, expectant of a noble response.
To be a friend a man should people strive up, not cast them down; to encourage, not discourage; to set an example that will be an inspiration to others.
To be a friend a man should be sensitively responsive to the dreams and aims of others and should show sincere appreciation for the contribution others make to the enrichment of his life.
To be a friend a man should close his eyes to the faults of others and open them to his own.
To be a friend a man should not attempt to reform or reprimand, but should strive only to make others happy if he can.
To be a friend a man should be himself, he should be done with hypocrisy, artificiality and pretense, he should meet and mingle with people in quiet simplicity and humility.
To be a friend a man should be tolerant, he should have an understanding heart and a forgiving nature, knowing that all men stumble now and then, and that he who never made a mistake never accomplished anything.
To be a friend a man should join hands with all people who are working for great principles, great purposes and great causes: he should put his shoulder to the wheel to help achieve common goals.
To be a friend a man should go more than half way with his felloe men; he should greet others first and not wait to be greeted: he should radiate a spirit of overflowing good will.
To be a friend a man should remember that we are human magnets: that like attracts like, and that what we give we get.
Written by (Wilfred Peterson) in 1960.
