What is a real friend?

Is it someone you can call at three in the morning, to come get you out of jail, or maybe it is someone who will come sit with you when you are sick? Are friendships characterized by tolerance of under benefiting and need-based helping or do they conform to the logic of give and take? Biologists and social scientists differ in their concept of friendship. Most biologists conceive of friends as social tools to achieve fitness-related benefits. In contrast, most social scientists? definitions of friendship stress concern for each other?s well-being and a willingness to help each other without expecting repayment. These different views might reflect a real difference between human and non-human friendships as a consequence of different selection pressures. Most of our friends are human, and unlike dogs; at some point they will let you down. This is when understanding and forgiveness become necessary. As unpleasant as that may sound, we the strong must forgive those who are weak, or we risk becoming weak ourselves.

"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget". - Thomas Szasz