“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.”

“Blank-slate friendships were thin and temperamental. She knew that. There was no history there to cement people together, for better or worse.”

“Friendship is a serious affection; the most sublime of all affections, because it is founded on principle, and cemented by time.”

“It was true; always had been. Friendships were like marriages in that way. Routines and patterns were poured early and hardened like cement.”

“He wanted to give me a blade? What's wrong with that?”“Blades,” he whispered, “and sheaths go together. And your sheath will only ever hold my blade.”

“and the creation, in the world and above the world, that once was at variance with itself, is knit together in friendship: and we ... are made to join in the angels' song, offering the worship of their praise.”