Friendship Quote by Michael Slote
““But if love and friendship are weaknesses, they are basic human weaknesses: by which I mean that they are weaknesses so endemic to our nature that if one seeks, as the Stoics urge, to avoid being subject to them, one is likely to to get oneself into a worse position than one would be in if one simply accepted the weakness in oneself. The tendency towards, the need for, the various affections of love and friendship may be basic weaknesses in this sense because if one attempts to be utterly free of them, one will simply cover up one's needs and feelings and in the process give them free rein for subterranean mischief and eventual destructive effect within one's life.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Moral Psychology of the Stoics by Michael Slote, 2008
Avoiding love and friendship as weaknesses leads to hidden harms; accepting them is healthier.
In simple terms: Accepting love and friendship prevents deeper problems.
Key Takeaway
Embrace connections rather than deny them.
Themes
relationships
vulnerabilities
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- mental health
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
stoicism
psychology
emotional health
Questions to Reflect On
- What weaknesses do you deny in yourself?
- How might acceptance improve your life?
A Different Perspective
Denial of basic needs can cause subconscious damage.
