Book 9 / Chapter 9
Paragraph 6 - The Necessity of Virtuous Friends for Happiness
Explanation - Part By Part
"If, then, being is in itself desirable for the supremely happy man (since it is by its nature good and pleasant), and that of his friend is very much the same, a friend will be one of the things that are desirable."
Aristotle is saying that existence, or "being," is something naturally good and pleasant for a person who is truly happy and virtuous. It’s something they deeply value. Now, if this is true for the happy person, the same idea applies to their friend because a true friend reflects similar virtues and goodness. As a result, having a virtuous friend becomes something inherently desirable—not just a nice addition to life, but a meaningful and valuable part of it, closely tied to the nature of happiness itself.
"Now that which is desirable for him he must have, or he will be deficient in this respect."
Aristotle is emphasizing that if something is truly desirable and inherently good for a person—especially someone aiming for happiness or a fulfilled life—then that person must possess it. Otherwise, they will be "lacking" or incomplete in their pursuit of happiness. In this case, he's specifically highlighting virtuous friends. If virtuous friendships are an essential aspect of what makes life good and pleasant, then not having them creates a gap or deficiency in achieving true happiness. It suggests that fulfilling relationships with good people are not optional but necessary for a fully flourishing life.
"The man who is to be happy will therefore need virtuous friends."
Aristotle is making the case that true happiness isn't something we achieve in solitude. To be a happy and fulfilled person, you need virtuous friends—people in your life who are good, moral, and aligned with what is truly worthwhile. Why? Because friends of this kind contribute to your own goodness and happiness by reflecting and reinforcing the best aspects of your character. Without them, your happiness is incomplete, as you're missing an essential part of what it means to live a good and thriving life.