Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Friendship involves honest presence even when imperfect, rather than distant perfection. Someone who engages with you is more valuable than someone who avoids you.
In plain terms
A friend who shows up imperfectly is better than one who stays away.
What can you take from it?
Value genuine connection over flawless interactions.

Where it applies

  • disagreements
  • difficult times
  • daily life

Putting it to work

  • open communication
  • accepting imperfection
  • showing up

Questions to consider

  • Who stays present when things are hard?
  • Do you value perfection or presence?

Another view

Sometimes distance is necessary for healthy boundaries.

More from Barbara Kingsolver

  1. The important thing isn't the house. It's the ability to make it. You carry that in your brains and in your hands, wherever you go... It's one thing to carry y…

    Permalink to quote #22
  2. The truth needs so little rehearsal.

    Permalink to quote #24
  3. Terms like that, 'Humane Society,' are devised with people like me in mind, who don't care to dwell on what happens to the innocent.

    Permalink to quote #21

Related quotes

  1. Je ne sais ou va mon chemin, mais je marche mieux quand ma main serre la tienne. ('A mon frere revenant d'Italie', mars 1844)

    Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset quote #4
  2. My friends are my 'estate.' Forgive me then the avarice to hoard them.

    Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson quote #1
  3. 'Dear Vincent Gallo, Thank you for the tape which I am listening to at this moment. All the best for 1983 and forever.' -William S. Burroughs.

    Vincent GalloVincent Gallo quote #1