Books and friends should be few but good

Определение и Значение "books and friends should be few but good"

books and friends should be few but good

used to imply that having a small number of high-quality books and trustworthy friends is more valuable than having many casual or unreliable ones

Proverb

What is the origin of the proverb "books and friends should be few but good" and when to use it?

The proverb "books and friends should be few but good" likely comes from European wisdom, with similar ideas appearing in Spanish and German proverbs. It emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity in both books and friendships. It is used to advise that having a few valuable books and trustworthy friends is better than having many that are not meaningful or reliable. People use this saying when discussing the importance of making careful choices about whom to trust and what to read, as both can have a strong influence on one's life.

Example

Elizabeth sought to fill her bookshelves with classics that would stand the test of time rather than the latest bestsellers, knowing as the proverb states that books and friends should be few but good.