Spiritual Friendship: Learning to Be Friends with God and One Another

Chapter 3: The Advantages and Excellence of Spiritual Friendship (Book 2.1–27)

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7. AELRED: You have my permission to examine the document but I want you to read it alone, and not to bring it to the eye of the public. I may later come to think that some parts of this work ought to be deleted; other parts might have to be added and, indeed, there may be many errors which should be corrected.

So (Soul) What? What Is the Fruit or Value of Spiritual Friendship? (2.8−13)

[The conversation between Walter and Aelred is picked up again at some later time later after Walter has had a chance to read the notes from Aelred and Ivo’s earlier conversation about friendship (Chapters 1 and 2). Walter and Aelred will soon be joined by Gratian, and the three friends will be the speaking participants in all the remaining conversations.] 8. WALTER: Here I am, ready to hear what you have to say. And I’m all the more eager, since what you wrote about friendship is very pleasant indeed. Therefore, since I have read your excellent discussion on the nature of friendship, I want you to help me to attain a more perfect knowledge of what the benefits of friendship are to those who cultivate it. For friendship is a very great

“Friendship is a very great thing . . . but it will be sought out more ardently only when its goal and its benefits are recognized.”

thing, as you appear to have shown by sure arguments; but it will be sought out more ardently only when its goal and its benefits are recognized.

9. AELRED: I do not presume that I can explain such a matter in a way that is worthy of its great dignity. For in human affairs there is no goal that is holier than friendship, nothing more useful, nothing more difficult to find, nothing that is sweeter to experience, nothing more enjoyable to