Lasting Friendship Belongs to the Perfect

This is why we said that the full and perfect grace of friendship can last only among those who are perfect and of equal goodness. Their like-mindedness and common purpose allow them never, or at any rate hardly ever, to disagree, or to differ in the matters that concern their progress in the spiritual life. But if they begin to grow heated in eager disputes, it is clear that they have never been at one according to the rule we gave above. But no one can start from perfection except someone who has begun from the very foundation, and your question is not about its greatness but about how you can attain it. So I think it well to explain to you in a few words the rule for it, and the kind of path along which your steps should be directed, so that you may more easily secure the blessing of patience and peace.