proverb · Words worth keeping
A man who has friends must himself be friendly.
A man who has friends must himself be friendly.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying asks someone who has friends to be friendly themselves. It values reciprocal consideration within connection.
What the words are saying
Must himself be puts responsibility on conduct, but the phrase should not blame every isolated person for lacking warmth. A useful reading considers mutual effort without requiring constant availability or making friendship a transaction of exact repayment.
Everyday example
Someone shows consideration while also communicating their own limits and needs.
When to use it
Use it to discuss reciprocal care without blaming isolation.
What it does not mean
Friendly conduct does not guarantee companionship or require unlimited availability.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 724; PDF page 104
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.