We call that person who has lost his father, an orphan; and a widower that man who has lost his wife. But that man who has known the immense unhappiness of losing a friend, by what name do we call him? Here every language is silent and holds its peace in impotence.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author notes that while we have names for losing parents or spouses, we lack a specific term for the deep grief of losing a friend.
- In plain terms
- We have words for losing family, but no word for the pain of losing a friend.
- What can you take from it?
- Grief over friendship is profound yet often unnamed.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why is friend grief less recognized?
- What name would you give this loss?
Another view
Some cultures do have specific terms for friend loss.
More from Joseph Roux
Our experience is composed rathery of illusions that of wisdom acquired.
Permalink to quote #2 Say nothing good of yourself, you will be distrusted; say nothing bad of yourself, you will be taken at your word.
Permalink to quote #3 The folly which we might have ourselves committed is the one which we are least ready to pardon in another.
Permalink to quote #4
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