Love and lordship never like friendship.

Meaning: Romantic or hierarchical power dynamics fundamentally corrupt the equality that genuine friendship requires.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

More proverbs about Perseverance

• A full purse never lacketh friends. — Wealth attracts companions, but their loyalty evaporates when money disappears.
• Many things grow in the garden that were never planted there. — Unexpected consequences and benefits arise from life's circumstances beyond our initial i…
• To give and keep there is need of wit. — Generosity requires discernment about when and how much to give without depleting your ow…
• God sends meat, and the devil sends cooks. — Abundance means nothing without the wisdom to use it well; poor execution ruins good fort…
• One God, no more; but friends good store. — Loyalty to one supreme authority prevents conflict, while cultivating many friendships cr…
• No man knows better what good is than he that has an endured evil. — Suffering teaches appreciation; adversity reveals the true value of comfort and peace.

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…