I gave Mitt Romney some donations for his campaign because he was

In the ancient stories passed down through generations, there is a timeless truth: friendship is one of the most sacred bonds between people, transcending all other allegiances and divisions. Stephen Pagliuca, in his words, brings forth this profound reality: "I gave Mitt Romney some donations for his campaign because he was a friend, and friendship came first. I've always been a Democrat, and I've had different views than Mitt Romney. I'm not Mitt Romney, and I think people will realize that when they meet me out there." These words speak to a deep and universal principle that is older than any political divide—friendship comes before all else.

In the days of the ancients, the bond of friendship was considered sacred, and no allegiance, no matter how powerful, was ever allowed to sever it. Achilles and Patroclus, the heroes of the Iliad, displayed the strength of their friendship on the battlefield, where the love they held for each other transcended even the call of war. Their loyalty was not based on shared ideologies or political agendas, but on the deep connection of two souls who had walked side by side, shared joys, sorrows, and battles. In their sacred bond, we see the purity of true friendship—it is not about agreement or uniformity, but about standing by each other, come what may.

Pagliuca’s words echo this ancient wisdom. He speaks not only of his donations to Romney's campaign but of a decision that was rooted in something greater than political affiliation or ideological alignment. His action of supporting his friend, despite their differences, reminds us of the ancient teachings that have long told us to value the bond of friendship above all else. For friendship is not merely a matter of shared beliefs or similar views; it is a bond formed through time, mutual respect, and the willingness to stand by one another, regardless of differences. Pagliuca’s statement, grounded in personal loyalty, challenges the modern tendency to allow differences in political views or opinions to sever the ties of connection.

Consider, for a moment, the story of David and Jonathan, whose bond was tested not by the court of public opinion, nor by the weight of their respective futures, but by their unwavering loyalty to one another. Jonathan, son of King Saul, could have sought to solidify his position on the throne, yet he chose to protect and love David, who was destined to take his father’s crown. Their friendship was not founded on political convenience or shared goals, but on something deeper—a mutual understanding of the importance of standing by one another. In Pagliuca’s words, we are reminded that, even in a world of politics and division, friendship remains a force that transcends all.

The lesson here is profound: friendship is not something that should be discarded in the face of differences, whether those differences be in political views, beliefs, or ideologies. Pagliuca reminds us that true friends do not need to be identical in all things—they simply need to stand together through life’s trials, honoring the bond that ties them. In this, we find the timeless wisdom of the ancients, who taught that loyalty and devotion to a friend are of far greater value than any fleeting allegiance to external causes. Friendship, in its deepest form, is an act of courage—the courage to remain steadfast even when the winds of public opinion blow strong and hard.

As we move through the world, we must take this lesson into our hearts. When faced with moments of conflict or division, whether on the stage of politics or in the smaller spaces of our daily lives, we must ask ourselves: will we place our friendships above our differences, or will we let the division between us break the bond of human connection? Pagliuca’s choice to support his friend despite their contrasting views reminds us of the importance of prioritizing our loyalties, our bonds, and our shared humanity above the superficial differences that so often divide us.

In our own lives, we must strive to honor the friendships that have stood the test of time, to support those who have been there for us through thick and thin. Whether our friends share our political views or our spiritual beliefs, their value lies not in their similarity to us but in the depth of the connection we share. Let us be like Pagliuca, who placed friendship above all else, knowing that true friendship is not about conformity, but about acceptance, support, and loyalty—the very foundation of our shared human experience.