Friendship

“True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.”

– George Washington, Letter to Bushrod Washington (1783)

What does it mean?

Real friendship takes time to grow. Only when it survives hard times together does it deserve to be called friendship.

Key vocabulary

withstand
survive something without being damaged
adversity
difficulty or bad luck
appellation
a name or title

Who said it?

George Washington: First president of the United States (1732–1799). Source: Letter to Bushrod Washington (1783).