Aristotle famously identifies three levels of friendship: those based on pleasure, on utility, and on character. Friends of pleasure might go fishing or golfing together; friends of utility might help each other in business; but friends of good character, friends “in the good,” love the good in each other, share their joys and sorrows, and are driven by a genuine interest in each other’s souls, with complete honesty.

Real friendship is the most powerful education.