By rationing in-person meetings, their stature is elevated to that of a rare treat. They become something to be savored, something special.

If I were LeBron, I would have gone to Chicago or I would have stayed home and showed a little more loyalty to my city and my team. But I'm not LeBron.

I'm amazed, as quirky, individual and selfish as most of us are, that anyone stays married for long.

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.

Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another?

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine.

Our friendships are precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life;and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part is sunshine.

And if the criticized person takes it quietly without rancor, not striking back but constantly loving, he will gather in friends faster than his critics can manufacture enemies.

I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I speak? I will laud mine enemies and they will become friends; I will encourage my friends and they will become brothers. Always will I dig for reasons to applaud; never will I scratch for excuses to gossip. When I am tempted to criticize I will bite on my tongue; when I am moved to praise I will shout from the roofs.

I will encourage my friends and they will become brothers. Always will I dig for reasons to applaud; never will I scratch for excuses to gossip.

Every one of us gets through the tough times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us.

I would like to thank the people who've brought me those dark moments, when I felt most wounded, betrayed. You have been my greatest teachers.