# BEST best friends in literature (open spoilers likely) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 17, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074 "2009-06-17T15:08:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/21 "2009-06-17T22:28:38Z")
Daniel and Peachy. Kings of Kapristan. Evidence: (from the movie) Daniel Dravot: Peachy, I’m heartily ashamed for gettin’ you killed instead of going home rich like you deserved to, on account of me bein’ so bleedin’ high and bloody mighty. Can you forgive me? Peachy Carnehan: That I can and that I do, Danny, free and full and without let or hindrance. Daniel Dravot: Everything’s all right then. Peachy Carnehan: It took him half an hour to fall. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/22 "2009-06-17T23:00:11Z")
> [@Johnny\_Q](#): > > Sydney Carton? Not many people would give up their head for somebody. This is the answer I came to give. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/23 "2009-06-17T23:03:47Z")
Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig. Yes, I know the first two are brothers. Water Rat, Mole, Badger and Toad. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/24 "2009-06-17T23:35:19Z")
Does the Bible count as literature? Because David and Jonathan were certaintly bestest buddies. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/25 "2009-06-17T23:43:06Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Does the Bible count as literature? Because David and Jonathan were certaintly bestest buddies. And my favorite story of friendship. I once had an intense, unrequited love for a man that had to explain to me the value of friendship. He taught me that friendship is actually the highest honor one can bestow on another. While he didn’t love me as I loved him, he felt real friendship for me. I was very young, and had a boyfriend at the time (my husband now), but I accepted the friendship and to this day, me and the man are friends. We call eachother Jonathan and David. I know that has nothing to do with anything, but I think I have always been looking for an excuse to tell that story. ETA: I almost forgot to actually contribute. Since Malleus beat me to David and Jonathan, I will go with Shug and Ceilie. ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/26 "2009-06-18T01:43:36Z")
Al and Dirk. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/27 "2009-06-18T03:38:06Z")
Bill Adama and Saul Tigh in the recent BSG. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/28 "2009-06-18T13:48:20Z")
> [@Johnny\_Q](#): > > Sydney Carton? Not many people would give up their head for somebody. True, but Sydney did it for love of Lucie, not for friendship of Charles. Still, I agree, he was Lucie’s friend, though he wanted to be more. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/29 "2009-06-18T14:53:03Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > True, but Sydney did it for love of Lucie, not for friendship of Charles. Still, I agree, he was Lucie’s friend, though he wanted to be more. That was my thought, too. Less a mutual friendship, more of an unrequited love. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19adc/32.png) [@I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Am_The_Lorax)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/30 "2009-06-18T16:57:13Z")
Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/31 "2009-06-18T17:21:33Z")
> [@I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](#): > > Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee Pssst. See post 7 ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/32 "2009-06-18T17:45:12Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Pssst. See post 7 They’re such good friends, you gotta put them in twice. ---
**Author:** ![wintertime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c68b51/32.png) [@wintertime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wintertime)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/33 "2009-06-18T23:08:57Z")
**[Damon and Phintias](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damon_and_Phintias)** In Greek mythology, their friendship was the epitome of trust and loyalty. Since then, their relationship has been a template for many friendships in literature, just like my previous examples. The real friendship between _Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus_ and _Gaius Laelius_ must have been so noteworthy that Cicero was inspired to write a whole treatise on friendship, the **Laelius de Amicitia** (44 B.C.), based on this relationship. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/34 "2009-06-18T23:19:24Z")
> [@wintertime](#): > > **[Damon and Phintias](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damon_and_Phintias)** > In Greek mythology, their friendship was the epitome of trust and loyalty. Since then, their relationship has been a template for many friendships in literature, just like my previous examples. Hmm…I’ve always known that story as Damon & PYTHIAS. I started to mention them, but … you know, I actually have no good reason for not doing so. I blame the Welsh. ---
**Author:** ![wintertime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c68b51/32.png) [@wintertime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wintertime)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/35 "2009-06-19T08:55:45Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Hmm…I’ve always known that story as Damon & PYTHIAS. > > I started to mention them, but … you know, I actually have no good reason for not doing so. I blame the Welsh. Who else but them? Oh well, in this case: blame [Valerius Maximus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerius_Maximus)! He changed the Greek original **Phintias** to _ **Pythias** _, so it’s a simple corruption – but one that held on. .. searching for an online reference .. .. in English .. .. ah: > [@](#): > > PHINTIAS (fcH/Tfas). 1. A Pythagorean, the friend of Damon, who was condemned to die by Dionysius the elder. The well-known anecdote of their friendship, and the effect produced by it on the tyrant, has been already related under damon. Valerius Maximus writes the name Pythias ; but Cicero follows the Greek authors in adopting the form Phintias. – [The Ancient Library](http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/2669.html) ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/36 "2009-06-19T09:09:09Z")
Huck & Jim ---
**Author:** ![Damfino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Damfino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damfino)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/37 "2009-06-19T11:33:27Z")
Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper Captain Keith Mallory and Andrea ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/38 "2009-06-19T14:08:43Z")
Has anybody said George and Lenny yet? I know it’s not a “storybook” ending, but damn, y’all, that takes a good friend. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/39 "2009-06-19T14:16:26Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Has anybody said George and Lenny yet? Good point. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074/40 "2009-06-19T14:33:35Z")
Falco and Petronius. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-best-friends-in-literature-open-spoilers-likely/500074.md?page=3)