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True Friendship: Where Virtue Becomes Happiness
We all want true friends. But how many of us know what friendship is? " The Art of Happiness" explains what friendship is, why we seek it, and why it is often hard to find. Philosopher John Cuddeback deftly weaves the timeless wisdom of the Greeks and Sacred Scripture into a practical wisdom that will show you the path to the most rewarding of human achievements - being a friend.
152 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2003
38 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
John Cuddeback
7 books4 followersProf. Cuddeback received a B.A. from Christendom College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from Catholic University of America.
He's taught in the Philosophy department at Christendom College since 1997: assistant professor (1997-2002), associate professor (2002-2009), professor (2009-present).
He's taught in the Philosophy department at Christendom College since 1997: assistant professor (1997-2002), associate professor (2002-2009), professor (2009-present).
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 13, 2025
“You’re a trrrRUUuuuuUUUUE friend” hannah montana banger was on repeat while reading this
November 12, 2025
What a great book! I’m about to finish it right now but I couldn’t wait. TRUE FRIENDSHIPS ARE THE GREATEST OF TREASURES… It it’s an art, something to work for… I loved how he uses Aquinas, Aristotle and St. Aelred to explain how friendships are a human necessity.
Be careful who you call friends… ¡Qué ansía el potencial que ciertas amistades tienen y nunca se realizan por no ir más profundo!
Favorite quotes:
- I want to be good together with my friend; I want us to spend our days together; I want our lives to coincide in a very real way…
- Human friendship is a gift from God that prepares us for the ultimate gift, friendship with God Himself.
Be careful who you call friends… ¡Qué ansía el potencial que ciertas amistades tienen y nunca se realizan por no ir más profundo!
Favorite quotes:
- I want to be good together with my friend; I want us to spend our days together; I want our lives to coincide in a very real way…
- Human friendship is a gift from God that prepares us for the ultimate gift, friendship with God Himself.
January 22, 2018
"...We could further call friendship the art of happiness, recognizing that it is not just one art among others. It has unique position in its connection to virtue and holiness, to human fulfillment and happiness."
Cuddeback is both succinct and profound in looking at the nature and beauty of friendship. His discussion covers Aristotle and St. Thomas, the three types of friendship, living the good life, friendship in community, and friendship before the face of God.
"As Christians we have two special motives for examining human friendship. The first is that an understanding of human friendship enhances our understanding of friendship with God. The second is that human friendship is natural preparation for entering into friendship with God."
Cuddeback is both succinct and profound in looking at the nature and beauty of friendship. His discussion covers Aristotle and St. Thomas, the three types of friendship, living the good life, friendship in community, and friendship before the face of God.
"As Christians we have two special motives for examining human friendship. The first is that an understanding of human friendship enhances our understanding of friendship with God. The second is that human friendship is natural preparation for entering into friendship with God."
September 2, 2019
This is a great book. It is an easy read for even one who has not taken philosophy or only one undergraduate course. The topic of friendship is expertly explained on its basic levels. The way it influences family, culture, development of our own best selves, etc is very interesting and easy to understand. I’ll probably reread because I suspect there are levels I missed.
April 18, 2021
A lot of great points, wisdom and insight to be found here.
It is succinct, not more than 150 pages with a medium-large font. I felt on occasion that the brevity of the book meant that some of its points didn't land as well as they could have. Would have been better if it went into more detail I reckon.
Good book nonetheless, would recommend.
It is succinct, not more than 150 pages with a medium-large font. I felt on occasion that the brevity of the book meant that some of its points didn't land as well as they could have. Would have been better if it went into more detail I reckon.
Good book nonetheless, would recommend.
Read
March 27, 2009This book explains the different types of friendships that one develops through life. A book you can`t put down once started!
October 15, 2023
I think that this book conveyed very beautifully how friendships and even relationships in our lives allows us to have a better understanding of our relationship with God. Just like how the love of our earthly father teaches us how much greater then, is God's love. It talks about virtuous friendships as ones that are true. But virtuous friendships are rare, as virtuous people are rare. And dealing with the ups and downs of friendships prepares us for navigating the ups and downs of life with God.
"Would our Lord Jesus ever resist the person who prays, 'strengthen my desire for you and my desire for those other things that you want me to desire'?"
"Growth in true friendship is limited by growth in virtue"
"It is also this friendship that prepares us for friendship with God, since our friendship with God should have the characteristics of virtuous friendship raised to the highest degree"
"A true friend is especially apt to help us form a true self-image"
"When there is love, there is the power to see"
"The one who loves you tends to have a 'forgiving eye'"
"According to the design of God himself, human persons usually discover their lovableness through human love"
"Divine charity" -- how our relationship with non-virtuous people should be like, not friendship
"Conversation is, or should be about the communication of truth, which is nothing but a sharing of insight."
"Those who ponder on the law of the Lord day and nights, and carry it in their hearts (PS 1:1-2), are the persons who will want to discuss that law with friends."
"What kind of wisdom is it to loathe friendship in order to avoid anxiety and to be carefree and absolved of fear? As if any virtue could be acquired or kept without anxiety!"
"Couples can resist the temptation to look upon time alone as the only "real" time they spend together."
"If you are not basically ready for marriage, then you are not ready to date."
"Would our Lord Jesus ever resist the person who prays, 'strengthen my desire for you and my desire for those other things that you want me to desire'?"
"Growth in true friendship is limited by growth in virtue"
"It is also this friendship that prepares us for friendship with God, since our friendship with God should have the characteristics of virtuous friendship raised to the highest degree"
"A true friend is especially apt to help us form a true self-image"
"When there is love, there is the power to see"
"The one who loves you tends to have a 'forgiving eye'"
"According to the design of God himself, human persons usually discover their lovableness through human love"
"Divine charity" -- how our relationship with non-virtuous people should be like, not friendship
"Conversation is, or should be about the communication of truth, which is nothing but a sharing of insight."
"Those who ponder on the law of the Lord day and nights, and carry it in their hearts (PS 1:1-2), are the persons who will want to discuss that law with friends."
"What kind of wisdom is it to loathe friendship in order to avoid anxiety and to be carefree and absolved of fear? As if any virtue could be acquired or kept without anxiety!"
"Couples can resist the temptation to look upon time alone as the only "real" time they spend together."
"If you are not basically ready for marriage, then you are not ready to date."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2023
I congratulate John Cuddeback on a very well-written book. His historical references were very valuable, and the foundation of his beliefs about true, virtuous friendships being related to God and our relationship with Him struck a positive chord with me.
Unfortunately while reading the chapter about dating and the morality that should be associated with this rite of passage, I was left with the feeling that Cuddeback's paradigm would require either a step back in time to 1958 or a cloistering of our teenagers from social and mainstream media, popular culture, and probably public schools, too.
Perhaps in the best religious homes this model behavior will work, and it certainly would be wonderful if we could see more people turn to God for guidance about friendships and about living better lives.
I heartily recommend this book.
Unfortunately while reading the chapter about dating and the morality that should be associated with this rite of passage, I was left with the feeling that Cuddeback's paradigm would require either a step back in time to 1958 or a cloistering of our teenagers from social and mainstream media, popular culture, and probably public schools, too.
Perhaps in the best religious homes this model behavior will work, and it certainly would be wonderful if we could see more people turn to God for guidance about friendships and about living better lives.
I heartily recommend this book.
April 16, 2021
Wonderful book filled with great wisdom!
August 30, 2025
I can confidently say this is the best book I have read on friendship. Cannot recommend enough!
April 17, 2023
Sometimes you never know how clueless you are until you meet someone with vastly more knowledge. That's precisely how I felt after reading Mr. Cuddeback's beautiful work on friendship, a topic I have wrestled with for a long time. Surprisingly, I never thought to look for a philosophical book on friendship, but I think it's much needed in our time and society.
The heart of this volume is rooted on the belief that true friendship is linked with virtue. Friends of this kind will naturally want the highest good for each other, and they will help each other become better people. Cuddeback explains how there are different types of friendship, and they can certainly grow, but only the “virtuous friendship” is deep and profound. Not satisfied with merely outlining the forms, the author gives a road map on how to “discern and test” friendship; for this he relies heavily on the wisdom of Saint Aelred.
Much of the earlier content is drawn from the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, and Cuddeback gives a meticulous interpretation of his wisdom. Not only is this book extremely wise and beneficial, it's also enjoyable and surprising. Coming from me, that says a lot; I always prefer spiritual books that are easy to read.
After reading True Friendship, one feels more empowered to identify and obtain the right kinds. I now hold onto my existing friendships with a deeper appreciation. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
The heart of this volume is rooted on the belief that true friendship is linked with virtue. Friends of this kind will naturally want the highest good for each other, and they will help each other become better people. Cuddeback explains how there are different types of friendship, and they can certainly grow, but only the “virtuous friendship” is deep and profound. Not satisfied with merely outlining the forms, the author gives a road map on how to “discern and test” friendship; for this he relies heavily on the wisdom of Saint Aelred.
Much of the earlier content is drawn from the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, and Cuddeback gives a meticulous interpretation of his wisdom. Not only is this book extremely wise and beneficial, it's also enjoyable and surprising. Coming from me, that says a lot; I always prefer spiritual books that are easy to read.
After reading True Friendship, one feels more empowered to identify and obtain the right kinds. I now hold onto my existing friendships with a deeper appreciation. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Read
August 2, 2011when I say "already read," I mean "partially read."
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews