How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Say I was divorced, or living alone, or had no children. This disease—what I'm going through—would be so much harder. I'm not sure I could do it. Sure, people would come visit, friends, associates, but it's not the same as having someone who will not leave." (14.11)
Morrie is talking about family. Even though he has lots of friends who come to visit him, he's saying that family is a type of friendship that can't be replaced. It's so important for people to have family because they're stuck to you no matter what.
Quote #5
"Ahhhh, it's my buddy," he would say when he saw me, in that foggy, high-pitched voice. And it didn't stop with the greeting. When Morrie was with you, he was really with you. He looked you straight in the eye, and he listened as if you were the only person in the world. (19.52)
Morrie is the best friend ever because he has this way of making you feel like you're the only person who matters. He doesn't get distracted by things around him, and instead gives Mitch this intense, amazing attention. This special quality is very important in making him the kind of person everybody wants to feel close to.
Quote #6
Later, Morrie would grin mischievously and say, "I'm getting to him." And he was. Koppel now referred to Morrie as "a friend." My old professor had even coaxed compassion out of the television business. (22.4)
The television crew is in town for a final visit when Morrie is in his final stages. Notice that this time, Morrie's not the one calling folks friends, it's the television guy, Ted Koppel. He's managed to break this guy down to the point where he's willing to go out on a limb and call this sick man that he's only met three times a friend. Now that's powerful.