From Charles Panati in Words to Live By, page 180.

Wishing to Be Friends is Quick Work, but Friendship is a Slow-Ripening Fruit

Aristotle (384 -322 B.C.E.), a pupil of Plato, viewed friendship among the highest virtues. It was an essential element in a full, virtuous, and worthwhile life. For Aristotle, there were three kinds of friendship:

1. Friendship of pleasure: two people are wonderfully happy in one another's company.
2. Friendship of utility: two people assist one another in everyday aspects of life.
3. Friendship of virtue: two people mutually admire one another and will be on best behavior in order not to jeopardize their relationship.

In the Nicomachean Ethics the philosopher said: "My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake."