The quote “Friendship was given by nature to be an assistant to virtue, not a companion in vice” essentially means that the true purpose of friendship is to help each other grow in virtue and goodness, not to encourage or tolerate each other’s vices or wrongdoings. It suggests that a real friend is one who supports you in becoming the best version of yourself, rather than one who simply stands by while you make poor choices or engage in harmful behaviors.
This can be understood in the context of the classical understanding of virtue as a quality of moral excellence, righteousness, and goodness. In this view, friendship is not merely a social connection or a source of pleasure, but a relationship that contributes to our moral development and helps us to live a good life.
In today’s world, this idea can be applied in various ways. In personal development, it suggests the importance of choosing friends who challenge us to grow, who inspire us to strive for excellence, and who hold us accountable when we fall short. It reminds us that true friends are not those who simply affirm us in whatever we do, but those who care enough about us to confront us when we are wrong and to encourage us to do what is right.
In the broader social context, this quote can be seen as a call to foster a culture of virtue, where people encourage and support each other in pursuing what is truly good and meaningful, rather than indulging in harmful behaviors or settling for mediocrity. It suggests that we should strive to be the kind of friends who help each other to grow in virtue, and to seek out such friends for ourselves.
In conclusion, this quote is a powerful reminder that friendship is not just about companionship, but about mutual growth and moral development. It challenges us to reflect on the quality of our friendships and to strive to be and to find friends who assist us in virtue, rather than accompanying us in vice.
