Friendship and Farewell Quotes: Celebrating Bonds and Goodbyes

Friendship is one of the most cherished connections we make in life, whether with childhood friends, colleagues, or companions we meet along the way. Yet every connection has moments of parting such as when a friend moves away, a colleague starts a new job, or a chapter in life simply closes. In these moments, words matter. The right farewell quote can comfort, inspire, and celebrate the bond that was shared. 

Over a third of the UK population now see self-care as essential, there are many ways to focus on self-care but analysis shows strong friendships and social relationships improve survival by over 50%.  

In this blog, we’ll share 100 farewell and friendship quotes, explore important international friendship dates, and give practical advice on how to say goodbye to colleagues in a meaningful way.

Why Farewell Quotes Matter 

When saying goodbye, words can bridge the gap between sadness and gratitude. A heartfelt farewell quote can: 

• Express emotions you may struggle to put into words.
• Offer encouragement for the future.
• Leave a lasting memory with the person departing.
• Celebrate the relationship rather than focusing only on loss.

Whether for a friend or a colleague, a good farewell message acknowledges both the journey shared and the possibilities that lie ahead.  

International Days Celebrating Friendship 

Friendship is honoured globally through special days that highlight the importance of human connection, below are some key global dates to mark in your diary, even if you have a friendship that spans across the world these dates will ensure you never forget that special bond. 

• International Day of Friendship - July 30 (established by the UN to promote peace through friendships among peoples, countries, and cultures).
• National Friendship Day (USA) - First Sunday in August (a tradition dating back to 1935).
• Friendship Day (India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and others) - Typically celebrated on the first Sunday of August with wristbands, messages, and celebrations.
• Best Friends Day - June 8 (observed in several countries, particularly in the US).

• World Hello Day - November 21 (encourages peace by reaching out to others, often tied to friendship and connection).

Knowing these dates gives you opportunities to celebrate and strengthen bonds before farewells ever come or simply by just honouring a friendship and showing that special person how much they mean to you. 

Best Ways to Say Farewell to a Colleague 

Saying goodbye to a co-worker can feel bittersweet. Here are thoughtful ways to make it memorable: 

1. Personalized Card or Note - Write a heartfelt message recalling shared experiences.
2. Send flowers - Flowers are a personal touch to show someone you care
3. Farewell Gift - A small token like a book, personalized mug, or framed memory.
4. Team Celebration - Host a farewell lunch, coffee outing, or online gathering.
5. Speech or Toast - Share words of gratitude in front of the team.
6. Digital Memory Book -Collect messages, photos, and inside jokes from colleagues.
7. Stay Connected - Add them on LinkedIn or exchange personal emails to keep the bond alive.

Remember: The best farewell is not just about “goodbye,” but about honouring the journey together, the memories you have and by saying thank you and finally wishing them well on their next chapter.

100 Farewell and Friendship Quotes 

Here are 100 quotes covering friendship, parting, and saying goodbye to colleagues and loved ones: 

Friendship Quotes (1-30) 

1. “Friendship isn’t about whom you’ve known the longest, it’s about who walked into your life and said, ‘I’m here for you.’”
2. “A true friend is never truly gone; their presence lives on in your heart.”
3. “Good friends are like stars - you don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.”
4. “Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.” - John Evelyn
5. “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” - Helen Keller
6. “Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.”
7. “No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other’s worth.” - Robert Southey
8. “A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.” - Leo Buscaglia
9. “True friendship is when silence between two people is comfortable.”
10. “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” - Thomas Aquinas
11. “Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.”
12. “A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden.”
13. “A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad.” - Arnold H. Glasgow
14. “Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” - Woodrow Wilson
15. “One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.” - Euripides
16. “Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.” - Cicero
17. “There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family.”
18. “True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable.” - David Tyson
19. “Friendship is not about who you spend the most time with, but who you have the best time with.”
20. “The language of friendship is not words but meanings.” - Henry David Thoreau
21. “Friendship is like a tree: it takes a long time to grow.”
22. “The greatest gift of life is friendship.” - Hubert H. Humphrey
23. “A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” - Donna Roberts
24. “Good friends are like four-leaf clovers: hard to find and lucky to have.” - Irish Proverb
25. “Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which strengthens with the setting sun of life.” - La Fontaine
26. “Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.” - Tennessee Williams
27. “True friends are those rare people who come to find you in dark places and lead you back to the light.”
28. “Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer.” - Ed Cunningham
29. “Friendship is the wine of life.” - Edward Young
30. “The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” - Elisabeth Foley

Farewell Quotes for Friends (31-60) 

31. “Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.” - Richard Bach
32. “Goodbyes are not forever, they are not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again.”
33. “The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.” - Charles Dickens
34. “A memory lasts forever, never will it die. True friends stay together and never say goodbye.”
35. “You may be out of sight, but you’re never out of my mind.”
36. “Though miles may lie between us, we are never far apart, for friendship doesn’t count miles, it’s measured by the heart.”
37. “Goodbyes are hard, but true friends never part. They simply find new ways to stay together.”
38. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” - A.A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh)
39. “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” - William Shakespeare
40. “Goodbye always makes my throat hurt.” - Charlie Brown
41. “It’s not the goodbye that hurts, but the flashbacks that follow.”
42. “We laughed until we had to cry, we loved right down to our last goodbye.”
43. “Distance means so little when friendship means so much.”
44. “Farewell is not forever. It’s just a short break until our paths cross again.”
45. “True goodbyes are the ones never said, but felt in the heart.”
46. “The world is round, and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning.” - Ivy Baker Priest
47. “Goodbye is the hardest thing to say to someone who means the world to you.”
48. “Memories are the best gift friends can give one another.”
49. “Though we say goodbye, our bond remains unbreakable.”
50. “The story of friendship doesn’t end with farewell - it continues in memories and future meetings.”
51. “A goodbye makes way for a new hello.”
52. “Every goodbye makes room for a new adventure.”
53. “No matter where you go, you’ll always carry a piece of my heart with you.”
54. “Goodbyes are not endings; they’re bridges to the next chapter.”
55. “It’s never easy to say goodbye to friends, but it’s always worth remembering the good times.”
56. “Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them.”
57. “Goodbyes are just doors closing so windows can open.”
58. “Until we meet again, take care of yourself, my friend.”
59. “Distance can’t weaken a friendship that was built on trust and love.”
60. “The hardest part of life isn’t meeting new people - it’s saying goodbye to the ones you love.”

Farewell Quotes for Colleagues (61-100) 

61. “Working with you has been a great journey. Wishing you success in your new role.”
62. “Colleagues are like a second family; saying goodbye feels like leaving home.”
63. “Farewell to a co-worker who made the workplace brighter every day.”
64. “Goodbyes are not the end; they simply mean I’ll cherish our memories forever.”
65. “You’re not just a colleague but a true friend. Goodbye and good luck.”
66. “Success will follow you wherever you go because of your hard work and positivity.”
67. “It’s hard to say farewell to someone who made work feel less like work.”
68. “A good colleague is like a four-leaf clover - hard to find and lucky to have.”
69. “The office won’t be the same without your laughter and energy.”
70. “Good luck in your new chapter - you deserve every success.”
71. “Farewell doesn’t mean the end. It’s simply a pause until we meet again.”
72. “I learned so much from working beside you - thank you for your guidance.”
73. “Best of luck in all your new endeavours. We’ll miss you here.”
74. “Your next team is lucky to have you.”
75. “Goodbye to a colleague who always inspired us to be better.”
76. “Thank you for your teamwork, dedication, and kindness. Farewell!”
77. “Though you’re leaving the office, you’ll never leave our hearts.”
78. “Wishing you new opportunities and new adventures in your journey.”
79. “You’ve been a role model, mentor, and friend. Farewell.”
80. “The workplace will miss your creativity and spirit.”
81. “Work won’t feel the same without your energy and passion.”
82. “Your contributions will be remembered long after your farewell.”
83. “Parting ways professionally doesn’t mean parting ways personally.”
84. “Every ending brings a new beginning. Congratulations on yours!”
85. “May success follow you wherever your path takes you.”
86. “Farewell to one of the brightest colleagues I’ve ever known.”
87. “The memories we’ve built will stay long after the goodbyes.”
88. “Good luck on your new adventure - you’ll do great!”
89. “A workplace without you won’t be the same, but we’re excited for your future.”
90. “Farewell, and thank you for being a wonderful colleague and friend.”
91. “Your professionalism and kindness have left a mark on us all.”
92. “Though you’re leaving this role, you’ll always be part of our story.”
93. “Goodbye to the colleague who made Mondays feel less like Mondays.”
94. “Wishing you fulfilment and joy in your new chapter.”
95. “You’ve been a true asset to the team, and you’ll be missed dearly.”
96. “Parting is hard, but your future is bright.”
97. “Farewell to a co-worker and friend whose presence made every day better.”
98. “The bonds we built won’t fade with distance.”
99. “Good luck and goodbye - your impact here will last.”
100. “Though today we say farewell, tomorrow holds endless possibilities for you.”