“Some books are to be tasted others are to be swallowed and
some few to be watched”
Everybody understands the need of friends in his life. A
friend shares joy shared is joy doubled. Sorrow shared is sorrow halved. A
friend sympathizes with your aspirations and joys, hopes and disappointments.
One can turn to a friend for advice, for encouragement and for help. A true
friend can invigorate you when you are in drooping spirits. He can caution you
when you are likely to go wrong.
An ideal friend is the balm of life. We may quote Krishna
and arjuna and again Krishna and sudama as example of ideal friends. But it is
very hard to have a true friend in the materialistic world of today. We have
sometimes only functional friends. We cannot expect such a friend to observe
objectivity in matters where the counsel of a friend is sought.
Books can take the place of friends on such occasions. In
the books is enshrined the wisdom of ages. As john Milton said, a good book is
the precious life blood of a master spirit embalmed and treasured on purpose to
a life beyond life. Books stand by us through thick and thin. They cheer and
encourage us through thick and thin. They cheer and encourage us equally in
adversity and prosperity.
A true friend is the solace of life. But if a friend
betrays, it is a shock too great to bear. It may make you sad. Friends change
with fortune. A full purse lacks no friends. They try to please every whim and
humor of yours. But different is the situation when fortune ceases to smile on
you. Even the dear ones do not like to see you. They desert you as a shadow
does in darkness. You may blame darkness for this situation but a true friend
must see you through the darkness. You can turn to books for a word of cheer. The
books do not let you down but hold up hope and promise of future prosperity. These
will not let you lie to brood in gloom but encourage you to act. Books take the
place where friends fail. Books are our real unfailing friends.
