Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke of two important elements of friendship.  One being TRUTH and the other being TENDERNESS.  Of truth he said:  “A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.  Before him I may think out loud. “

Of tenderness he said:  “Can others be so blessed and we so pure, that we can offer him tenderness? When a man becomes dear to me, I have touched the goal of fortune.”