Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
AristotleRead
... the friendship of worthless people has a bad effect (because they take part, unstable as they are, in worthless pursuits, and actually become bad through each other's influence). But the friendship of the good is good, and increases in goodness because of their association. They seem even to become better men by exercising their friendship and improving each other; for the traits that they admire in each other get transferred to themselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Friendship can significantly influence our character, shaping us towards better or worse paths depending on the company we keep.
This quote by Aristotle emphasizes the profound impact that friendships can have on our moral character. It suggests that associating with virtuous individuals can lead to personal growth and improvement, as the admirable traits in friends can inspire and transfer to ourselves. Conversely, friendships with those lacking virtue can lead to negative influences and deterioration of character. Thus, the quality of our friendships is crucial in determining our own ethical and moral development.
Themes
FriendshipInfluenceVirtueCharacterGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about personal development, one might quote Aristotle to emphasize the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences.
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But if nothing but soul, or in soul mind, is qualified to count, it is impossible for there to be time unless there is soul, but only that of which time is an attribute, i.e. if change can exist without soul.
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The whole is more than the sum of its parts.
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Together we knew toil, joy and pain. My fervent wish is that the nine of us who were united in face of death should remain fraternally united through life.
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It is only the great hearted who can be true friends. The mean and cowardly, Can never know what true friendship means.
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Friends, if we be honest with ourselves, we shall be honest with each other.
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However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship.
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Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words.
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I dreamed in a dream, I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth; I dreamed that was the new City of Friends; Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust love—it led the rest; It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that city, And in all their looks and words.
Walt WhitmanRead