Single Idea 86

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State]

Full Idea

In societies with perverted political constitutions friendship is little found; in a tyranny there is almost no friendship.

Gist of Idea

A bad political constitution (especially a tyranny) makes friendship almost impossible

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1161a29)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.278


A Reaction

See 'Politics' for more on this. He wants a benign circularity between friendship and the good society. Friendship facilitates the good society, which in turn fosters friendship. I like it.