Selfishness

Certain people will talk to anyone they see. One of my friends is that kind of person. The characteristic certainly has taught me a lot, though.

We were on the subway one day and an old man sat next to him. My friend was saying he was here with friends, and asked the man if he had any really close friends.

The man said he preferred not to keep anyone close to him. He thought humans only wished good toward their friends until they get in our way, and suddenly they become much less interesting.

I thought this was an unecessary stance on human selfishness. But regardless, my friend told the old man he'd heed the advice. I don't know if it surprised me that much when I never saw him thinking about it too deeply.