: Friendship is not about mere flattery; it is a serious commitment to the moral and intellectual improvement of the other person.
: In ancient Chinese political texts (e.g., the Annals of Master Yan ), a lower-ranking official would admonish a ruler. This was dangerous because it threatened the "face" of a more powerful person. admonisher
: Admonishment is a "paradoxical pragmatic behavior". : Friendship is not about mere flattery; it
: Because humans often have blind spots regarding their own flaws, only an honest "admonishing friend" can provide the deep truths necessary for self-growth. the Annals of Master Yan )
In academic and philosophical contexts, this subject is typically explored through two primary lenses: and the pragmatics of ancient speech acts . 1. Mary Astell and the "True Friend"