It can be very useful to have a large number of friends, if they actually care. However, if they are "almost friends" as you say, then they are as good as having no friends at all.
Having many friends, and having good friends both have their advantages. Having a lot of almost friends can be better for your self esteem than only having a couple of good friends. Having almost friends provides a large pool of friends to pick some good friends. Finally, having many friends may pay off in times of crisis, with incredible emphasis on the “may.” As such, good friends are much more likely to help, so the choice is clear.
It is better to have a couple of good friends, rather than many almost friends. Good friends are always there. Whether you need someone to hang out with, tell a secret to, or even ask for help if you need it, a friend is always willing to help, no matter the situation. Are almost friends likelier to hang with you, or are they more likely to hang with their real friends? Is it smart to tell an almost friend a secret? Assuming they’ll listen at all? Do almost friends give you advice, or help you in times of crisis? These things may apply to almost friends occasionally, but not often. Why would you even contemplate having a large circle of almost friends over having a circle of good friends?
In my case, I am blessed enough to have many, good friends. All of my friends are very good, and without them my life would be terrible. My friends helped me overcome the social limitations caused by my autism. Without my friends, the fire which burned down my house on June 15, 2011, a year and 4 months ago, would have been infinitely more devastating, and much harder to recover from. I have received advice on numerous occasions that helped me deal with emotional issues. They have been there for me through thick and thin, and I am happy to know them.
I am lucky enough to have many good friends, but if I had to choose, I would choose to have a circle of good, true friends rather than surrounding myself with many people whom I hardly know. Having many friends is good for self esteem, but not much else. Good friends are there for you when you need it, therefore, it is better to have a few good friends than an enormous number of “almost friends.”
Emily Dickinson once said, “My friends are my estate.” When she says this, she conveys the message that friends are one of the most important things that one can have in life. I couldn’t agree more. However, one must choose the right kind of friends. While it is good to have many almost friends, in the end, you’ll wish that you had taken the time to get to know some of them better. After all, if you don’t know them, how are they your friends?
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