Do not make best friends with a melancholy sad soul. They always are heavily loaded, and you must bear half

Do not make best friends with a melancholy sad soul. They always are heavily loaded, and you must bear half

Francois Fenelon, a French archbishop, theologian, and writer, was known for his profound insights into human nature and spirituality. One of his most famous quotes is, “Do not make best friends with a melancholy sad soul. They always are heavily loaded, and you must bear half.” This quote speaks to the idea that surrounding oneself with negative or melancholic individuals can have a detrimental impact on one's own well-being.

Fenelon believed that the company we keep can greatly influence our own emotional state and outlook on life. Melancholy individuals, who are often burdened by their own sorrows and struggles, can unintentionally transfer their negative energy onto those around them. By forming close friendships with such individuals, we risk taking on their emotional baggage and becoming weighed down by their sadness.