amorphous_constellation
Well-Known Member
This is from a book that I think may be primarily considered canonical by Catholics I believe, not sure about others. I recall that the sentiment might turn up elsewhere as well, maybe one of you knows where. Anyway the verse reads “Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with pleasure.”
I for one think that this may be one of the poorest articles of biblical wisdom that is provided. We modern people know that old friendships can fail, that we can learn over time that old friends might not be treating us as well as others might. Rather than state that an old friend might be holding you back, it states that you should keep your connection with them. Perhaps the verse made sense in the bronze age, where perhaps very few people could be trusted anyway, and it was best not to hedge your bets with new people. But in the modern age the goal is often to grow and learn, that often that only comes about easily if you form new connections when you can.
I for one think that this may be one of the poorest articles of biblical wisdom that is provided. We modern people know that old friendships can fail, that we can learn over time that old friends might not be treating us as well as others might. Rather than state that an old friend might be holding you back, it states that you should keep your connection with them. Perhaps the verse made sense in the bronze age, where perhaps very few people could be trusted anyway, and it was best not to hedge your bets with new people. But in the modern age the goal is often to grow and learn, that often that only comes about easily if you form new connections when you can.