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Source identified
“A desire for Friendship may arise quickly but not Friendship itself.”

Aristotle

Source
Nicomachean Ethics
Date
4th century BCE
Attribution
Source identified
English wording
D. P. Chase — Translator · from Ancient Greek
Meaning

What does this quote mean?

Initial liking or a wish to become friends can happen immediately, but Aristotle reserves mature friendship for a relationship tested by time, familiarity and demonstrated character.

Source context

Where does it come from?

Nicomachean Ethics, Book VIII, Chapter III, Project Gutenberg #8438. Aristotle has just argued that people must become mutually known and prove themselves fit objects of friendship before the relationship is complete.

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