Complete the text with the words from the box. Then press "Check" to mark your answers.
feel between have lives on condition are sorrows will friends easily of which behind and
Everyone has several acquaintances, but no one has many friends. True intimate friendship is not common, and many people seem incapable it. For a friendship to be intimate and lasting, both friends must have some very special qualities.
First comes unselfish love, is the very essence of friendship. A man who is engrossed in his interests and feelings may, no doubt, like to an unselfish friend who will admire him, serve him and always study his interests. But friendship is a two-sided affair and by giving- and - take, and no friendship can last long, which is all give on one side and all take the other. A selfish person is incapable of true friendship. The love and service must be mutual.
Constancy is another important of a friendship. But some people are consistently fickle. They take up interest with enthusiasm, but they soon tire of it feel the attraction of some new object. Such changeable and uncertain people are constitutionally incapable of a lifelong friendship with anyone.
Two must be loyal to each other, and they must know each other so well that there can be no suspicions them. We do not think much of a man that dares not stand up for his friend when he is criticised his back; nor of the man who readily believes rumour and gossip against his friend. Suspicious natures and those who are influenced by reports and whispers can never make good friends,
There must be implicit confidence between friends so that each can that he can tell the other his most intimate secrets without any fear of his being misunderstood or betrayed. But there talkative and communicative people who cannot keep a secret, either their own or those of others, to save their lives; such never keep a friend long.
Lastly, there must be perfect sympathy between friends - sympathy with each other's aims, likes, joys, , pursuits and pleasures. And where such mutual sympathy does not exist, friendship is impossible.