Quote by C.S. Lewis

The First [Friend] is the alter ego, the man who first reveals to you that you are not alone in the world by turning out (beyond hope) to share all your most secret delights. There is nothing to be overcome in making him your friend; he and you join like raindrops on a window. But the Second Friend is the man who disagrees with you about everything. He is not so much the alter ego as the antiself. Of course he shares your interests; otherwise he would not become your friend at all. But he has approached them all at a different angle. He has read all the right books but has got the wrong thing out of every one. It is as if he spoke your language but mispronounced it. How can he be so nearly right and yet, invariably, just not right? He is as fascinating (and infuriating) as a woman. When you set out to correct his heresies, you will find that he forsooth to correct yours! And then you go at it, hammer and tongs, far into the night, night after night, or walking through fine country that neither gives a glance to, each learning the weight of the other's punches, and often more like mutually respectful enemies than friends. Actually (though it never seems so at the time) you modify one another's thought; out of this perpetual dogfight a community of mind and a deep affection emerge.


The First [Friend] is the alter ego, the man who first revea

Summary

This quote describes the dynamics between two types of friends. The First Friend is someone who shares the same interests and brings joy by connecting with your innermost desires, effortlessly becoming a companion in life. However, the Second Friend is the opposite. Despite sharing common interests, they approach them differently and challenge your perspectives. This Friend may infuriate you by consistently being "nearly right" but not quite. Engaging in heated debates and discussions, you both learn from each other's viewpoints, resulting in a bond of deep affection and a community of shared thoughts and ideas.

By C.S. Lewis
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