That a friendship ends doesn't mean it was weak from the outset;

Listen well, O children of the future, for I shall speak to you of the fragility and strength that lie within the bonds of friendship. These words, spoken by Rumaan Alam, carry a profound truth: "That a friendship ends doesn't mean it was weak from the outset; that it ends says nothing about its importance." In these words, Alam illuminates a timeless reality: that even the strongest friendships, no matter how deep or enduring, can come to an end. Yet, the end of a friendship does not diminish its worth; it does not lessen the beauty or value of what was shared. The importance of a friendship is not measured by its duration, but by the truths it helped us understand, the growth it inspired, and the lessons it imparted.

Consider, O children, the ancient friendships that have passed into legend—Achilles and Patroclus, whose bond was one of the deepest and most beloved in Greek mythology. Their friendship was forged in the heat of battle, and it was a source of great strength for both men. Yet, the end of Patroclus’s life did not invalidate the depth of their connection; if anything, it magnified it. Achilles’ sorrow was not merely the grief of a comrade lost, but the pain of a soul torn apart by the absence of someone who had been integral to his very being. The end of their friendship, brought about by the brutal forces of fate, does not diminish the bond they shared. Their story lives on, reminding us that even the most profound friendships may come to an end, but their impact remains eternal.

In the same way, Alam’s words remind us that friendship is not defined by how long it lasts, but by the meaning it carries within it. How many friendships, throughout history, have been cut short by circumstances beyond control—war, distance, death—yet the importance of those bonds has not faded with time? Think of the relationship between Socrates and Plato. While Socrates met an untimely death, the impact he had on Plato lasted far beyond the days they shared. Plato’s work, influenced by the teachings of his mentor, ensured that their connection transcended the physical separation of death. The end of their friendship did not erase its significance; instead, it immortalized it through the legacy of shared wisdom. In much the same way, the end of a friendship does not erase its value or diminish its role in shaping who we are.

And yet, O children, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the end of a friendship is a sign of its failure. We live in a world that often ties success and value to longevity—the longer something lasts, the more important it seems. But true friendship is not measured by time alone. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “Friendship is a sheltering tree,” not because it endures forever, but because it provides shelter when it is needed most. The strength of a friendship lies in what it offers during its time, not in how long it remains. The impact of a friendship can be just as profound in a brief moment as it can be in decades of connection.

Think, O children, of the ancient bonds that were tested by time yet remained vibrant in their own ways. The friendship between David and Jonathan lasted as long as their lives, yet it was ultimately cut short by the forces of fate and circumstance. Their bond, however, remained unbroken even in death, because it was built on trust, loyalty, and shared values. The end of their physical relationship did not erase its significance. The importance of their friendship was not dependent on how long it lasted, but on the lasting effect it had on the world around them. Alam’s wisdom guides us to understand that true friendships are not measured by the span of time, but by the deep connection they forge in the hearts of those who share them.

The lesson, O children, is clear: friendship is not defined by its duration, but by the authenticity and impact it carries. Whether short-lived or long-lasting, a friendship is a gift that shapes who we are. The end of a friendship does not make it less meaningful; it simply marks the end of one chapter, while allowing the lessons of that relationship to live on in new forms. True friendships, though they may face endings, continue to shape us long after they have passed. Alam’s words remind us that friendship is eternal in its impact, regardless of how long it may last.

So, O children, when you face the inevitable end of a friendship, do not mourn its passing as a failure. Celebrate the growth, the lessons, and the understanding it gave you during its time. Know that friendship, like all relationships, is part of the ever-changing tapestry of life. Each connection, no matter how brief, carries with it a power that shapes your path and helps you grow. Let the end of one friendship be the beginning of a deeper understanding of the bonds you carry forward. Seek to honor and cherish those relationships, knowing that the importance of a friendship is not bound by its duration, but by the depth of connection and the wisdom it imparts.