"如果一个人在人生的旅途中不不断结交新朋友，他很快就会发现自己被孤立。一个人，先生，应该不断维护他的友谊。"

Making new friends is essential to staying connected and not feeling isolated as you get older. It's like maintaining a house—if you don't keep up with repairs, it eventually falls apart.

This advice comes from Samuel Johnson, an 18th-century writer and thinker who knew a thing or two about human nature. He might've been talking to someone who was feeling a bit lonely or stuck in their ways. We all know people like that, right? They stick to their old friends and habits so much that they miss out on new experiences and relationships. When the old connections fade, they find themselves alone.

Imagine you're at a party and you only talk to people you already know. Sure, you'll have a good time, but you're missing out on meeting new people who could bring something exciting into your life. Take the case of my aunt Sarah. She moved to a new city for a job and didn't know a soul. Instead of just calling her old friends back home all the time, she joined a local book club. Fast forward a year, and she has a whole new circle of friends from diverse backgrounds. They go hiking, have dinners, and even plan vacations together. If she had just stuck to her old friends, she'd be spending her evenings alone in her apartment.

So, how can you apply this? First, put yourself out there. It doesn't have to be a huge step—try a new hobby, join a club, or simply talk to someone new at a gathering. Remember, everyone feels a bit awkward at first, but it's worth pushing through. Second, keep in touch with the friends you make. Relationships need nurturing. A quick message, a coffee date, or attending their significant life events goes a long way.

Think about high school reunions. At first, everyone's excited to catch up, but after a while, the conversations dry up if you haven't stayed connected. Imagine you’re at your 20-year reunion. You see an old friend, but you haven't spoken in years. It’s awkward, right? Now imagine you’ve kept in touch over the years. You know about their job, their family, their hobbies. The conversation flows, and it’s like no time has passed. That’s the power of maintaining and repairing friendships.

In the end, it's all about balance. Cherish your old friends but don't be afraid to make new ones. Think of friendships like plants—you need to water them regularly and sometimes plant new ones to keep your garden vibrant and alive. It's never too late to make new friends, and it's definitely never too late to keep the old ones close.