Alister E. McGrath Quote
Lewis rightly points out that this desire to be part of the Inner Ring is not really about friendship at all. It is about our own insecurity and yearning to matter. It is about using friends as tools to gain what we want. We value someone, not because of who they are, but because of what they can do for us. We want them to boost our self-esteem and self-importance and get us privileged access to things we might otherwise not be able to get at all. In fact, our longing to be part of an Inner Ring debases friendship. Real friendship is about shared affection, respect, and interests. As Lewis concluded, there is no ‘inside’ that is worth reaching. What really matters is friendship, pure and simple.
Lewis rightly points out that this desire to be part of the Inner Ring is not really about friendship at all. It is about our own insecurity and yearning to matter. It is about using friends as tools to gain what we want. We value someone, not because of who they are, but because of what they can do for us. We want them to boost our self-esteem and self-importance and get us privileged access to things we might otherwise not be able to get at all. In fact, our longing to be part of an Inner Ring debases friendship. Real friendship is about shared affection, respect, and interests. As Lewis concluded, there is no ‘inside’ that is worth reaching. What really matters is friendship, pure and simple.
Related Quotes
To begin to know ourselves we must have sincere conversations with ourselves as if with a good friend. We must answer without reserve, listen without judgement, and accept without condition. That is s...