The Value of Friendship
Guidance for Reciting
“Life without a friend is death”，which demonstrates quite clearly the value of friends and friendship. The Chinese saying“At home one relies on one's parents and outside on one's friends”also means that.
Friendship is both a source of pleasure and a component of good health. People who have close friends naturally enjoy their company. Of equal importance are the concrete emotional benefits they derive. When something sensational happens to us，sharing the happiness of the occasion with friends intensifies our joy. Conversely，in times of trouble and tension，when our spirits are low，unburdening our worries and fears to compassionate friends alleviates the stress.
With close friends in our lives，people develop courage and positive attitudes. Throughout life，we rely on small groups of people for love，admiration，respect，moral support，and help. Almost everyone has a“network”of friends：co-workers，neighbors，and schoolmates.
Notes
1.intensify [in5tensifai] vt. 增强
2.compassionate [kEm5pAFEnit] vt. 同情
3.alleviate [E5li：vieit] v. 减轻，使……缓和
友谊的价值
诵读导言
“没有朋友，虽生犹死”，可见在我们的生活中，朋友和友谊的价值是不言而喻的，所谓的“在家靠父母，出门靠朋友”，意思大抵如此吧。
友谊既是快乐之源泉，又是健康之一环。有至交者，自然享有友情之乐。他们在精神上所得实惠，亦同等重要。欣逢喜事，与朋友分享其乐，喜上加喜。反之，有不如意事，情绪颓丧，向富有同情心的朋友倾诉愁苦，会减轻痛苦。
生活中有挚友，我们就能鼓起勇气，变得积极。整个一生，我们都有赖于一些小团体的人们来获得友爱、赏识、尊重、道义支持和帮助。几乎人人都有一个“友情网”：同事、邻居和同学。
