What Aristotle thinks about friendship
Greek philosopher (384 to 322 BCE); studied in Plato's Academy until 347 BCE; founded the Lyceum in Athens in 335 BCE.
Aristotle did not write this page.
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Only Aristotle on friendship. See everyone on friendship
2 dated positions, c. 367–322 BCE, in their own words. Our reading of what Aristotle has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Their wordswhile the friendship of good men is good, being augmented by their companionship; and they are thought to become better too by their activities and by improving each other; for from each other they take the mould of the characteristics they approve
↗Nicomachean Ethics, Book Nine (tr. W. D. Ross, 1925)en.wikisource.org
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Our readingA city of only the very rich and very poor is one of masters and slaves, without friendship
Their wordsA city composed of such men must therefore consist of slaves and masters, not freemen; where one party must hate, and the other despise, where there could be no possibility of friendship or political community: for community supposes affection; for we do not even on the road associate with our enemies.
↗Politics: A Treatise on Government (William Ellis translation)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book