A Multitude of Souls

December 10, 2025 - Milania Hood (11)

  "A true friend is one soul in two bodies" (Aristotle). This ancient virtue holds true and reflects a deeper meaning of friendship. It captures the essence of a profound, unifying bond where two individuals share core values and understanding. Many people, especially in their teenage years, develop a friendship with someone they deem their ‘best friend.’ While a single, deep connection is valuable, diversifying friendships is crucial for personal growth. Sharing a heart and soul with many people allows one to become more socially and culturally aware, without putting pressure on one person when times get tough.

The singular bond of a “best friend” offers a unique form of stability and emotional intimacy that’s difficult to replicate. This person often knows all your history, flaws, and inside jokes, providing an unmatched sense of unconditional love and support. In the troubling years of adolescence, when other relationships or family situations might be fleeting, this constant presence serves as an essential anchor, offering a reliable haven where one can be their authentic self without fear of judgment. The depth of trust built over years with one individual allows for a vulnerability that fosters significant personal healing and growth, creating a shared history that solidifies their mutual understanding. However, this beautiful exclusivity limits one’s overall support system and exposure to the world.

Relying solely on this deep, single connection is insufficient for a fully-rounded social and personal development. Interacting with a diverse group of people exposes us to a wider range of perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures, fostering empathy and a broader outlook on society. This expansion is essential for navigating an interconnected world that is constantly growing. Additionally, a network of friends distributes the emotional load; having multiple outlets ensures that you have different types of support for a shared hobby. Sometimes, a best friend will take on more than they can handle to support the friends they love, and that can go unnoticed. Finding multiple outlets prevents just one person from becoming overburdened or overwhelmed during difficult times. Ultimately, learning to adapt communication styles and navigate different social dynamics builds stronger interpersonal skills and essential resilience, which a closed-off, singular friendship can’t provide.

In conclusion, while the Aristotelian ideal of two bodies sharing one soul is powerful and necessary for a foundation of deep intimacy, true personal development demands the creation of a wider social network. A single best friend provides the anchor, but diverse friendships provide the sails, compass, and map needed to navigate the complexities of life. It is the balance between depth and variety in our social connections that truly allows us to flourish as socially and culturally aware individuals.