Unselfishness. I like to surround myself with people who are kind and have feelings for others and their problems.
Relationships
What do you value most in your friends?
65 answers answered between 2001 and 2026 one of 5 in The Proust Questionnaire
Originally asked
Vanity Fair, to its interview subject, The Proust Questionnaire
A fixed Vanity Fair Proust Questionnaire item asked across its three-decade archive, with independent variants in friendship and profile interviews.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
On the record
Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.
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That they don’t die on me.
I think I value the same things everyone does—loyalty, a sense of humor, the ability to make campaign contributions.
Availability. Just kidding. Character.
Warren Buffett
Chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, 1970–2025
The asset I most value, aside from health, is interesting, diverse, and long-standing friends.
Recorded
His own pledge letter, written on joining the Giving Pledge in 2010, The Giving Pledge, 2010
source ↗
Their ability to open a bottle of wine.
Rafael Nadal
Spanish professional tennis player, 2001–2024
The word says it all. To be a friend means that they are always there, for the good or the bad.
Their willingness to have me as a friend.
If I haven’t seen them in years and yet can pick up conversation like it was yesterday.
A willingness to come uptown.
Discretion and good cheer.
Their responsibility to the friendship.
Danielle Steel
Novelist
Loyalty, kindness, honesty, trustworthiness, reliability.
Terry Gross
Radio interviewer
Their willingness to put up with my endless explanations about why I can’t see them because I’m under deadline.
Elmore Leonard
Novelist and screenwriter
That they get it.
That they can pick up where we left off.
The ability to be themselves rather than hiding behind a mask.
John Malkovich
Actor
That they’re kind, trustworthy, smart, and can hear and communicate and aren’t afraid to do so.
They’re wonderful people who seem to like me!
Being there through thin and thin. That’s friendship treasured.
0 answers from members
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