Intro

Friends help you improve (in body, in mind and in soul).  Good friends are those among whom it is easier to be good, to do good (e.g. among whom it is easier to genuinely love your girlfriend and treat her like a lady, among whom it is easier to be punctual, to be cheerful, to be hardworking, to be sober, etc.).  Conversely, bad friends are those among whom it is easier to be bad, or do evil (e.g. among whom it is easier to get drunk or stoned, to cheat or steal, to watch porn or engage in premarital sex, etc.)

Real friends are those among whom it is easier to be genuine – friends you don’t have to put up a show with, don’t have to try to impress because they already know what your strong points are, and what your embarrassing shortcomings are.  Fake friends are those among whom it is easier for you to be fake, friends you’re always pretending with (usually because you either want to fit in, or because you want to impress them).

Loyal friends are those who you can always depend on especially in your worst moments; friends who support and help you improve without counting the cost to themselves.  Opportunists are those who hang out with you only for fun – and usually when it’s free.

Short Exercise 17:

  1. Who are my top two good friends?
  2. Who are my top two bad friends?
  3. Who are my top two real friends?
  4. Who are my top two fake friends?
  5. Who are my top two loyal friends?
  6. Who are my top two opportunists?

Commentary

A friend is someone you share something in common with. The more you share in common, the stronger your friendship will be.  What you share could be very varied: could be an interest in a certain sport, a love for certain kind of music, a passion for growing in manliness, a hunger to change your environment, a tragic or disturbing experience from your pasts, maybe you live in the same neighbourhood, you both love food, etc.

If you are honestly and sincerely striving for manliness, then you should be honestly and sincerely striving for friends among whom it is easier to be manly – hopefully because they are striving for the same great ideal.  Hanging around “friends” who sabotage that journey is nonsensical.

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