On Friendship.
Recent developments in my personal life have led me to consider what friendship means to me. This was reiterated for me when I overheard a quote from noted ancient philosopher, Aristotle. It went something like, "the greatest form of all human relationship is a virtuous friendship."
To me, a virtuous friendship is one where each person has the best intentions toward the other. In order to be a good friend, it is important to regard the other person's happiness above all personal desires. A good friend will never intend to hurt the other, neither physically nor mentally nor emotionally. A good friend will never use the other for personal gain. A good friend will share in the triumphs and misery of the other without passing judgment.
It can be difficult to be a good friend, but it is much harder to find one. The virtuous friendship exists when both parties treat each other respectfully and honestly for no other reason than they are a friend.
It is the mutual connection that is important. If one person in the friendship is abusing the virtuous nature of the other, the relationship is out of balance. It is not virtuous.
There are times when you have no other option but to call on a friend, though. For help in tough times, for moral support, for advice. Your friend should be happy to help you to their best extent. In return, you must remember that it would be unfair to ask them for anything you would not gladly give them yourself.
A virtuous friend will not ask for anything in return for their help. They will do what is best for you, simply because they want to. At the same time, you should not expect your friends to help you for nothing in return. Once you expect this of them, you slip into the realm of exploitation.
This is the nature of true friendship, to give everything and expect nothing in return. But, it is only true when both parties feel the same. For if one person is exploiting another's good nature, that is no friendship at all.
To me, a virtuous friendship is one where each person has the best intentions toward the other. In order to be a good friend, it is important to regard the other person's happiness above all personal desires. A good friend will never intend to hurt the other, neither physically nor mentally nor emotionally. A good friend will never use the other for personal gain. A good friend will share in the triumphs and misery of the other without passing judgment.
It can be difficult to be a good friend, but it is much harder to find one. The virtuous friendship exists when both parties treat each other respectfully and honestly for no other reason than they are a friend.
It is the mutual connection that is important. If one person in the friendship is abusing the virtuous nature of the other, the relationship is out of balance. It is not virtuous.
There are times when you have no other option but to call on a friend, though. For help in tough times, for moral support, for advice. Your friend should be happy to help you to their best extent. In return, you must remember that it would be unfair to ask them for anything you would not gladly give them yourself.
A virtuous friend will not ask for anything in return for their help. They will do what is best for you, simply because they want to. At the same time, you should not expect your friends to help you for nothing in return. Once you expect this of them, you slip into the realm of exploitation.
This is the nature of true friendship, to give everything and expect nothing in return. But, it is only true when both parties feel the same. For if one person is exploiting another's good nature, that is no friendship at all.