"Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another"

Eustace Budgell’s words portray friendship as much more than a simple bond between people who enjoy each other’s company. At its core, friendship, according to Budgell, is rooted in strength and habit, qualities that elevate it above fleeting feelings or momentary alliances. The use of “strong” reveals that real friendship endures difficulties, misunderstandings, and the tests of time. It is resilient and does not dissolve at the first sign of trouble.

“Habitual inclination” suggests that friendship is not merely an occasional act of kindness or sporadic display of affection, but a consistent, almost automatic commitment. Over time, friends develop a natural tendency to care for each other, so deeply ingrained that acting in each other’s best interest becomes second nature, not a forced or calculated effort.

Central to Budgell’s perspective is mutual benefit; friendship involves two individuals, each motivated to promote the other’s good and happiness. It is a reciprocal relationship, one that flourishes when both parties equally prioritize the happiness and well-being of the other. Friendship is a dynamic interplay of giving and receiving, an ongoing effort to support, uplift, and encourage one another.

The emphasis on promoting “the good and happiness” of one another touches on the transformative power of friendship. When friends genuinely seek each other’s welfare, their relationship becomes a source of growth and comfort. In doing so, friendship transcends self-interest; it becomes a moral inclination, an ethical habit of putting another’s needs alongside, or even above, one’s own.

Ultimately, Budgell encapsulates the essence of deep friendship: a persistent, mutual, and selfless striving for the happiness of another person, a relationship underpinned not merely by affection but by steady actions and loyalty that nurture the best in both people.