THE TEN SINS OF FRIENDSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1933, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE TEN SINS OF FRIENDSHIP

Giving secrets away. This is one of the cardinal sins of friendship. To betray a confidence is unforgivable. The whole structure of true comradeship rests upon the reliance of one person on the other. Suspicion. It is fatal to assume on rhe slightest evidence that a friend is “talking behind your back,” or breaking appointments without good reason, or cultivating you with some ulterior motive. Better give her the benefit of the doubt, or else “have it out.”

Failing a friend in need. Dullness. Friendship is boring when either party is dull. Friends should try to make the association bright. Having no other friends. This, too, becomes boring. When two friends stick together too much, they become set and narrow in outlook. Gushing. Gush rarely rings true, ana, sooner or later, friends tire of it. Normal, natural demonstration of goodwill is the thing to aim at. Jealousy. Some women become furious if a good friend pays more attention, or gives more help, to others. This is unreasonable. Selfishness. It is ridiculous to expect a friend to shelve her own problems in order to listen to all your worries, or sympathise with you over all the slights you receive. Remember that you may be making too much of your worries, and you may have deserved the slights. Quibbling over money—being overanxious to pay your share in an outing to the last farthing. This sort of thing is rather irritating. To settle up approximately is sufficient. Expecting too much. If you expect a friend to be a marvel of intelligence, sweetness, devotion, and good temperin short, a perfect human being—you will surely be disappointed. Be tolerant! v