Meaning: The quote "A friend is long sought, hardly found, and with difficulty kept" by St. Jerome Saint encapsulates the complex and often challenging nature of true friendship. St. Jerome, also known as Jerome of Stridon, was a Christian priest, theologian, and historian who lived in the 4th and 5th centuries. He is perhaps best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin, known as the Vulgate, which became the standard version of the Bible in the Western Christian Church for over a thousand years.

In this quote, St. Jerome Saint conveys the idea that genuine friendship is a rare and precious commodity that requires significant effort to both find and maintain. The first part of the quote, "A friend is long sought," suggests that true friendship is not something that can be easily stumbled upon. Instead, it requires time, patience, and a willingness to invest in relationships in order to cultivate meaningful connections with others. This notion aligns with the belief that deep, lasting friendships are not simply the result of chance encounters, but rather the product of intentional and sustained efforts to connect with others on a profound level.

The second part of the quote, "hardly found," emphasizes the scarcity of true friendship. It implies that while many people may pass through our lives, few will truly embody the qualities of a genuine friend. This sentiment speaks to the idea that authentic friendship is distinguished by its rarity and is not to be taken for granted. It suggests that the qualities and virtues that define a true friend, such as loyalty, trust, empathy, and mutual support, are not easily come by and require discernment to recognize.

Finally, the quote concludes with the assertion that a friend is "with difficulty kept." This phrase underscores the idea that maintaining a deep and meaningful friendship is not without its challenges. It acknowledges that the bonds of friendship require ongoing care, effort, and commitment to endure. Just as the initial search for genuine friendship demands patience and perseverance, so too does the ongoing effort to sustain and nurture these relationships over time.

In a world where social connections are often superficial and transient, St. Jerome Saint's quote serves as a poignant reminder of the value and rarity of authentic friendship. It encourages us to approach our relationships with intentionality and to appreciate the depth and significance of true friendship when we find it. This quote also prompts us to reflect on the qualities that define a genuine friend and to consider how we can embody those virtues in our own relationships.

In summary, St. Jerome Saint's quote "A friend is long sought, hardly found, and with difficulty kept" encapsulates the profound and enduring nature of true friendship. It reminds us that genuine friendship is a precious and rare gift that requires both effort to find and perseverance to maintain. It encourages us to cherish and cultivate meaningful connections with others, and serves as a timeless testament to the enduring value of authentic friendship in our lives.