Single Idea 85

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / d. Friendship]

Full Idea

Where the object is pleasure or utility friendship is possible between bad men,…but obviously only good men can be friends for their own sakes.

Gist of Idea

Bad men can have friendships of utility or pleasure, but only good men can be true friends

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1157a16)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.265


A Reaction

If bad men try to be friends, they presumably become aware of the vices in the other person, and vices are usually fairly unfriendly.