We call that person who has lost his father an orphan and a widower that man who has lost his wife. But that man who has known that immense unhappiness of losing a friend by what name do we call him? Here every language holds its peace in impotence.

Meaning: Clear boundaries can help a friendship remain healthy. Some separation in space, time or responsibilities may prevent small intrusions from becoming repeated resentment.

Meaning: A household may need to address problems rather than avoid every difficult conversation. The saying’s praise of chiding needs limits on how disagreement is expressed.

Meaning: Sharing a difficulty with people who understand it can reduce the feeling of being alone. Mutual recognition may ease the burden without making the underlying problem disappear.

Meaning: Courtesy may be difficult to sustain when it is consistently met with disregard. The one-sided exchange highlights reciprocity, without requiring politeness to become a bargain or blaming someone for setting a necessary boundary.