Nor will he wish his friend to possess all the good; for every one wishes most for good to self (VII.).

The essence of friendship is to love rather than to be loved, as seen in mothers; but the generality of persons desire rather to be loved, which is akin to being honoured (although honour is partly sought as a sign of future favours).

By means of love, as already said, unequal friendships may be equalized.

Friendship with the good, is based on equality and similarity, neither party ever desiring base services.

Friendships for the useful are based on the contrariety of fulness and defect, as poor and rich, ignorant and knowing (VIII.).
Friendship is an incident of political society; men associating together for common ends, become friends.