Saying: Friends are the family we choose for ourselves
Info
- Title: Friends are the family we choose for ourselves
- Type: Sayings
- Category: { Friendship }
- Print: Download as PDF for printing
Friends are the family we choose for ourselves. This well-known quote originates from the American author and journalist Edna Buchanan and highlights how friendships, consciously chosen, can form bonds as strong as family ties.
Origin and Usage of the Saying
The quote is attributed clearly to the author Edna Buchanan and was originally published in English. The exact original wording is: Friends are the family we choose for ourselves. Edna Buchanan (born 1939) is primarily known as a journalist and has also authored several crime novels. This saying has been widely circulated in printed anthologies of quotations, articles, and journalistic contexts, and is frequently referenced culturally.
Meaning and Interpretation of the Saying
The quote conveys a central message: friendships often assume familial roles based on deliberate choices. This concept combines personal connection with individual decision-making, emphasizing a core principle in life.
It highlights that true friendship does not occur by chance but results from deliberate decisions. This conscious choice grants friendship a particular emotional depth and value.
The saying addresses a universal human experience: the need for belonging and social connection. Understanding friends as family implies actively cultivating relationships rather than passively accepting them.
Moreover, the quote encourages reflection on social concepts: family is not solely determined by biology but can also be formed by deliberate relationships. Thus, friendship becomes a consciously chosen community.