[originaltext]M: I consider friendship to be one of the most important things i

M: I consider friendship to be one of the most important things in life--whatever your status, married or single. I see too many lonely people work around. A lot of us get so involved with material values, family problems etc., that we forget the real meaning of friendship.
W: Which is what, according to you?
M: They say ’a friend in need is a friend indeed’, which is partly true, but a real friend should also be able to share your happy moments--without feeling jealous. A good friendship is one where you accept and forgive faults, understand moods, and don’t feel hurt if a friend doesn’t feel like seeing you. Of course, honesty is an essential part of any relationship. We should learn to accept our friends for who they are.
W: As a married man, do you find your friendships are only with other men?
M: Of course not! Both my wife and I have men and women friends -- thank goodness. Although family life is fulfilling, it isn’t enough! Both, my wife and I get tremendous satisfaction from our friends, married and single, male and female -- and we both have our separate friends too. We’d get bored with each other if we had the same friends!
W: You must have a full life.
M: We certainly do! And as I say, our friends give us a lot of plea- sure. After all, friends should not be people with whom you kill time. Real friendship, in my opinion, is a ’spiritually developing’ experience.