Slow Havamal: 124

In verse 124, people become friends when they are able to openly share their thoughts with each other. Nothing is worse than a liar. A real friend will be honest about it when they disagree with you.

Last week we saw that there is no reward for dealing with bad people, and here we get a particular case: that of a false friend who lies to keep up appearances. Odin notes that one of the important ingredients in forging a friendship is that the two individuals can speak their minds with one another. Friends don’t take a difference of opinion personally, nor do they speak their minds in a way that is scornful. When a criticism is levied, it’s constructive, and comes from a place of caring. When they can’t see eye to eye on some opinion, they are able to respect the mutual right to disagree. We do not hear that friends always agree. Rather, their differences make the friendship more complex and interesting without harming the bond.( Read more... )