"Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust"

In this quote, Jesse Owens is highlighting the short lived nature of awards and the enduring value of friendships. He suggests that while awards may lose their shine gradually, true good friends remain continuous and do not collect any "dust" or end up being forgotten. This might be interpreted as a tip to prioritize meaningful relationships over material achievements. Owens, a prominent Olympic professional athlete, might have experienced the short-term nature of awards direct and acknowledged the lasting impact of real friendships. In general, this quote functions as a poignant tip to cherish and support the relationships in our lives, as they hold more value than any award.