The parable of Pythagoras is dark, but true: Cor ne edito – Eat not the heart. Certainly if a man would give it a hard phrase, those that lack friends to open themselves unto are cannibals of their own hearts. But one thing is most admirable (wherewith I will conclude this first fruit of friendship), which is, that this communicating of a man’s self to his friend, works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joys, and cutteth griefs in halves. For there is no man, that imparteth his joys to his friend, but he joyeth the more; and no man that imparteth his griefs to his friend, but he grieveth the less. – Francis Bacon, “Friendship”, Essays, 1625
Family, religion, friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business. – Mr. Burns, “The Old Man and the Lisa”, The Simpsons, 1997