essay on the qualities of a good friend

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'We are the champions' plus other qualities every good friend should have

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What are the qualities of a good friend?

How to spot a bad friend: 3 tips.

The importance of good friends

How to find good friends: 3 tips

The tough part of friendship, finding fulfillment through friendship.

You’ve probably had a lot of amazing — and not so amazing — friends over the years. Knowing what made the great ones stand out from the rest can help you choose the right friends going forward. 

Friendships make life more meaningful and are good for your health . Great friends offer emotional support and make you feel loved and connected . These experiences are critical to your mental health and social wellbeing , which is why it’s so important to choose your friends wisely and treat them well. 

But sometimes finding, or even being, a good friend is tough. And for many, making friends as an adult already feels harder. Gone are the days where you could simply approach someone and ask, “Want to be my friend?”

Life is busy, filled with distractions and obligations. But in these moments, knowing the qualities of a good friend is even more important. You need a supportive friend the most when work is stressful and personal problems are weighing you down. 

Whether you have too many best friends to count or are still looking for one more, knowing the characteristics of a good friend can help you appreciate your current relationships and make new, meaningful connections .

Not every person you meet will become your new closest friend. And approaching meeting new people with an eye toward making a best friend might even cause stress and possibly make people uncomfortable. A network of loose social connections is valuable to both your well-being and success, too. These friendly connections are what form a community . 

Many people in your life will move along the spectrum between acquaintance and best friend. These different relationships are all important. Understanding where someone fits on and differentiating what you expect from the relationship is helpful.

But anyone you call a friend should live up to certain standards if you’re going to invest in the relationship. And you ought to, as well, if you want to retain meaningful and mutually enjoyed connections. 

From casual acquaintances to personal cheerleaders, here are 11 important qualities of a good friend.

1. They live with integrity

A friend with integrity acts in alignment with their values and commitments. They have strong moral principles and will speak or act when someone violates these principles. They’re also self-aware and behave and speak in consistent ways. Because of this, you can rely on what they say they’ll do.

2. You can trust them

A good close friend is honest and speaks from the heart with good intentions. They tell you what you need to hear in a respectful and loving manner, so it doesn’t feel hurtful. Because you know they have your best intentions at heart, you can be vulnerable , insecure, and weird with them.

3. “Dependability” is their middle name

There’s no time for fair-weather and flaky friends. A good friend respects this, trying their best to show up, keep promises, and do what they say they’ll do.

That doesn't mean they’ll be dependable in every situation. This friend might always be a little late, but you know you can depend on them to offer a listening ear when you’re going through a hard time. 

4. They’re loyal

While blind loyalty is never great, since it might cause you to overlook red flags and toxic traits , great friends are generally loyal to their people — unless these people aren’t great friends back.

A loyal friend sticks by you through your highs and lows, offering a helping hand or a listening ear whenever they can. They listen to your side of the story, give you the benefit of the doubt, and defend you when you deserve it.

5. They have empathy for others

Empathy involves understanding others’ emotions and experiences, and a great friend easily does this for you. If you’re distraught because you didn’t get a promotion , this friend does their best to put themselves in your shoes so they can offer you more thoughtful and meaningful support.

And if they know you really well, they might intuit your feelings before you express them, providing comfort and guidance before you even expected it.

6. They’re good listeners

Excellent listening skills are one of the most important qualities of a good friend. Great listening allows your friend to understand how you are feeling, retain important information about you (like your favorite food or activity), and validate your emotions. They can only truly know who you are and offer excellent advice if they're actively listening . 

7. Their confidence is contagious

A great friend has enough confidence for the both of you, making you shine in social situations and offering you courage when you don't have it. They’re self-confident and think you should be, too, since they think you’re the best. 

8. Spending time with them makes you feel good

Perhaps the most crucial trait, you should feel great spending time with this person. Social vampires and toxic relationships might exhaust you, but spending time with an excellent friend is something that should cheer you up and energize you. This is someone you’re comfortable seeing even on your most burned out days because it’s not work.

9. They make you laugh

Laughter is life’s medicine, and great friends dole it out in tonnes. Humor reduces stress, brightens your mood, and leads to a greater sense of belonging — all things a great relationship should do. So if your friend makes you laugh, know that this seemingly small trait might actually be increasing your well-being. 

10. They're non-judgmental

While they might offer “real talk,” bringing you down to earth with critical insights, real friends never make you feel bad about yourself. They offer a safe space for you to work out issues, share insecurities, and discuss hard topics. 

Great friends have your best intentions at heart, no matter what, and simply want you to be happy. And they also understand that your road to happiness is unique to you, so they’re ready to support you as you change throughout your life. 

11. They’re low-maintenance

Great friends don’t want to be a burden. While they’ll expect some quality time, care, and consideration from you, they’re low-maintenance and won’t hold your busy-ness against you. And when you reconnect, it’s like no time has passed. 

These are excellent friends to be around since they’re also low-drama, avoiding gossip and making hang-outs lighthearted and fun.

Intuitively, you’ll likely know you’ve spotted a bad friend because you don’t want to spend time with them. They tire you out, make you feel judged, and don’t align with your interests and values. In many circumstances, your bad friend won’t be someone else’s. You might want to befriend someone that’s more reliable and available than the next person, or maybe what’s most important to you is interest alignment, like if you both work in the same industry.

You can determine what you require in a friend — and what the sure-fire deal breakers are — by brainstorming and writing down your friendship goals . That said, here are some bad-friend traits extending to all situations: 

They constantly “one-up” you: These friends always make their issues seem more significant than yours. If you tell them about your bad day, they tell you how their day was worse. And if you’re proud of an accomplishment , they mention how they did it better and sooner. This constant competition invalidates your feelings, and good friends don’t do that.

They’re a bad influence: They encourage you to participate in risky behavior or activities that make you uncomfortable. And if they don’t respect your boundaries , they’re not worth having in your life.

They bully and belittle you: Some “friends” only keep you around to make you feel bad. To feel better about themselves, they take you down — and that’s simply not friendship, it’s bullying . Instead, great friends raise you up, offering support and affirmation to help you become your best self .

The importance of good friendship

When you have good friends , hard times seem more manageable, and you feel supported and celebrated for who you are. And when times are tough, you know you have someone to count on. No matter the distance or situation, they always seem to know how to make you feel better.

A good friend doesn’t need to share your every interest, but they value what’s important to you and never belittle your passions and hobbies. And when you’re doubtful about your value, they quickly remind you of your importance and what makes you unique.

Having great friendships also means you :

• Gain a sense of belonging
• Feel less socially isolated and lonely
• Have support during tough challenges, like losing a loved one
• Prevents health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease

Making new friends as an adult is difficult. Between work and other obligations, it’s hard to put yourself out there, but it’s worth it. 

Here are three tips for finding more healthy friendships. 

1. Try different communal activities

If you’re doing an activity you enjoy, chances are high you’ll meet like-minded people. And studies show that most people seek friends who are similar to them , so you could try attending group activities with strangers to make new friends .

So many activities exist that’ll expose you to new people, like dance classes, language courses, and exercise groups. Even if you’re shy , you could try less social events like painting or sculpting classes. And if you’re intimidated by trying something new, join an activity you’re already good at to remove this barrier. 

Here are some options for meeting new people with similar interests:

• Attend local events: Having local friends makes it easier to hang out and stay in touch, plus you might have more in common. You can find local networking and social events online or on community boards, or even ask around at your workplace or with current friends. 
• Volunteer: Helping out a cause you feel passionate about ensures you’ll meet new people with concurrent values. You might help out in a soup kitchen or with a beach clean-up, trying your best to chat to strangers each time you attend. 
• Find a new social hobby: A great way to meet people is by taking on an out-of-home social hobby, like joining a sports team or book club. You might just go to the same spin studio weekly, building community that way.

2. Become your own best friend

If you’re a great friend to others, that means you can also be a great friend to yourself. And considering yourself “a friend” means you might treat yourself more kindly and compassionately, like you would your other close connections. 

This self-love also boosts your self-esteem and confidence and helps you practice how to treat people well. And these traits won’t go unnoticed by current and future friends. 

Take yourself out on a dinner date every once in a while, give yourself a positive pep talk, and enjoy cozy nights doing free time activities you love. Because you deserve it. 

3. Be a good friend to others

Great friendship is based on reciprocity: to find good friends, you must be a good friend. Self-reflect, perhaps journaling or talking aloud, to determine whether you embody the traits listed above, like being a good listener and offering your friends a no-judgment safe zone. Then make a self-improvement plan practicing any missing qualities. 

True friendship isn’t always sunshine and roses. You might fight, fall out of touch, and feel jealous of each other — all of which can strain an otherwise great relationship.

And sometimes, your friend’s decisions won’t make you happy. You might have to confront them about a bad work ethic or toxic trait. These conversations aren’t easy, but they’re necessary if you want to be a good friend. If you communicate openly and honestly, your relationship can survive any rough patch.

Building meaningful relationships takes work. You must be vulnerable with others, honest about how you feel, and supportive when people need you. And you have to trust your gut when you feel like someone’s a negative influence in your life.

But the struggle is worth it. Now that you know the qualities of a good friend, you can find people to support you during tough times and help you feel more fulfilled in life. Great friends offer belonging and meaning — what’s more important than that?

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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Learn how to make friends online to expand your circle, the ultimate guide on how to be a better friend, 10 tips to help you make friends and get along better with others, why making friends as an adult is so hard (and how to do it), learning to give and receive advice on friendship, family, and work, want to make someone’s day 10 tips on how (or if) to cheer someone up, how to fix a relationship and rebuild trust one step at a time, why it's good to have a bff at work and how to find one, similar articles, what are friendship goals how to make the best of your besties, what are green flags in relationships and how can you identify them, how to create a resume with chatgpt, the benefits of knowing yourself: why you should become your own best friend, 18 leadership qualities and characteristics of a successful leader, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Essay on A Good Friend for Students and Children

500+ words essay on a good friend.

A good friend is the only relation which we earn in whole life. To find a good friend who is loving, caring, helpful, honest, loyal, and most important compatible. This is the biggest achievement of us which we get in the form of a true friend. Undoubtedly, we always learn something new and exciting in the company of our good friends from childhood. A pleasurable time spent with friends is a kind of some happiness that can’t be express. Whether you make group study or enjoying someone’s birthday party it is always enjoyable with friends.

What is a Friend?

A good friend is someone difficult to find. A friend is somebody you can always count on when times are a hard time. The dictionary’s definition of a good friend is a person who attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

Friendship means at ease with and liking of each other’s mind. A friend is one who appreciates a person’s skill. A good friend helps or encourages to make the right choices and do not get into any trouble at all.

Importance of Good Friend

Since childhood, friendship helps in making us understand and grow the habit of sharing and caring. Small kids develop friendship quicker and enjoy the company of their friends. They play and learn together. Friends are essential for their proper growth and development.

What makes a Good Friend?

Good friends are always caring, loving, loyal, passionate, a little bit critic of you. These qualities make a friend as a good friend. So, the person who talks behind your back and laughs at you can never be your good and true friend.

Friendship is the relation where friends listen to each other’s problems. Thus we can say that this bond is about good listeners. Definitely, to have a true friend is always like finding a real pearl.

Is Friendship Matters with Status?

Friendship has never bounded by people’s financial status. A king can be a true friend of a poor beggar and poor labor can be a good friend of a rich industrialist. As we all know that Lord Krishna was in unconditional true lovable friendship with poor Sudama. Friendship of Krishna and Sudama is a milestone for all of us. They were like soul mates. Also, their friendship was on that level where if one gets hurt other feels the pain.

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Qualities of a Good Friend

True friends come with a variety of qualities which makes them someone special in one’s life. Here we are pointing some qualities of a true friend and its impact on friendship:

• Good listeners- It is necessary for a friend to be a good listener. Therefore, without the ability to listen, your friendship will be shallow.
• Being compassionate- True friends should always be compassionate with each other. They must be able to sympathize regardless of whether or not they agree with the crisis their friends are facing
• Loyalty- True friends should always be loyal to each other. A good friend should never betray you in any way, talk about you behind your back nor do anything else that questions your friendship.
• Trust – Good friends should be trustworthy. One should have friends to whom you can be able to tell all your secrets without any fear of them telling other people about them later.
• Support – Good friends should always be available for support. You should have friends with whom you can be sure for any help and support.
• Reliable – A good friend is one to whom you can rely on for anything.

Life of a human being is full of ups and downs.  So, on each stage of life, everyone needs someone who can understand and support with no expectation. Those special people are called a true friend. Friendship can be between two people of any age, any gender or any background. True Friends have always their special place in anyone’s life. True friendship is always possible only by heart and not by mind.

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Essay on Qualities Of A Good Friend

Students are often asked to write an essay on Qualities Of A Good Friend in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Qualities Of A Good Friend

Introduction.

A good friend is like a treasure. We all want friends who are kind, loyal, and honest. But, what makes a friend truly good? Here are some qualities that define a good friend.

Trustworthiness

Trust is a key quality. A good friend is someone you can rely on. They keep your secrets safe, and you know they won’t let you down. They show you that you can trust them through their actions.

A good friend is kind. They are always there to lend a helping hand. They care about your feelings and try to make you feel better when you’re sad. They share your happiness and your sadness.

Honesty is another important quality. A good friend tells you the truth, even when it’s hard. They give you honest advice because they want the best for you. They don’t lie or hide things from you.

Loyalty is a must in a good friend. They stand by your side no matter what. They support you and defend you. They stay true to you even when times are tough.

In conclusion, a good friend is trustworthy, kind, honest, and loyal. These are the qualities that make a friend special. So, if you have a friend with these qualities, treasure them. They are truly a gift.

250 Words Essay on Qualities Of A Good Friend

Friends play a crucial role in our lives. They are like the family we choose for ourselves. Good friends are a blessing, and they possess certain qualities that make them special.

Trustworthy

A good friend is trustworthy. They keep our secrets safe and never break our trust. We can rely on them in tough times, knowing they won’t let us down.

Loyalty is another quality of a good friend. They stand by us in good and bad times. They don’t leave us when things get tough. They are always there to support us.

Understanding

A good friend understands us. They know our strengths and weaknesses. They accept us as we are without trying to change us. They are patient and tolerant with us.

Honesty is a key quality of a good friend. They are truthful and sincere. They tell us the truth, even if it’s hard to hear. They don’t lie or deceive us.

Kind and Caring

A good friend is kind and caring. They show love and care for us. They help us when we need it and share our happiness and sadness.

In conclusion, a good friend is like a treasure. They are trustworthy, loyal, understanding, honest, and kind. They enrich our lives and make our journey more enjoyable. Everyone should strive to be a good friend and value the good friends they have.

500 Words Essay on Qualities Of A Good Friend

Friendship is one of the most beautiful relationships in the world. It is a bond that is built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding. A good friend is a treasure that can make our lives more meaningful and enjoyable. But what makes a good friend? Let’s explore some of the qualities that a good friend should have.

Trust is the foundation of any friendship. A good friend is someone who you can trust completely. They will keep your secrets safe, and you can count on them to be there for you in times of need. They will never betray your trust or let you down.

Honesty is another important quality of a good friend. They will always tell you the truth, even if it might hurt your feelings. They believe in the importance of being honest and will not deceive you or lie to you. Their honesty helps to build trust in the friendship and makes the relationship stronger.

Supportiveness

A good friend is always supportive. They stand by you in your ups and downs, cheering you on when you succeed and lifting you up when you fall. They believe in you and your abilities, and they are always there to encourage and motivate you. They are your biggest cheerleader and your most reliable shoulder to lean on.

Understanding is a vital quality of a good friend. They understand your feelings, your thoughts, and your actions. They accept you for who you are, with all your strengths and weaknesses. They do not judge you or try to change you. Instead, they appreciate your individuality and respect your decisions.

Respect is another essential quality of a good friend. They respect your opinions, your choices, and your personal space. They consider your feelings and are careful not to hurt you. They value your friendship and show it through their actions and words.

In conclusion, a good friend is someone who is trustworthy, honest, supportive, understanding, and respectful. These qualities make a friend more than just a companion; they make them a confidant, a supporter, and a valuable part of our lives. Having such a friend can bring joy, comfort, and richness to our lives. Therefore, it’s important to choose our friends wisely and to strive to be a good friend ourselves. After all, to have a good friend, we must first be a good friend.

Remember, a good friend is like a four-leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have. So, if you have such a friend, cherish them, appreciate them, and hold onto them tightly. Because a good friend is a true blessing in life.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Friends / The Qualities of a Good Friend

The Qualities of a Good Friend

• Category: Life , Sociology
• Topic: Friends , Friendship

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