Like an Onion

There are three layers of friendship. Maybe more, but three layers can describe relationships with most people.
1. Casual: Casual friends are the ones who you might talk to, joke and laugh with, but you don't know very well. These are your friends, but you might not go to them with a personal problem just because you don't know them "that well." Casual friends probably like you in general, since they only see the more jovial side of you.

2. Good/close: Close friends are the ones that you know well, and trust. An actual connection is formed with these friends, but you still have some space. Often you will know about your close friends important life events, but they will not be involved in your life to the point where they know everything about you. Good friends have your back, but can have a mixed opinion of you, especially if they know *everything* about your life.

3. Life partner: The most intensive relationship. This is someone who is entirely emotionally invested in your life, and chances are it goes both ways. You count on talking to or seeing them every day. You feel strong emotions and connections towards this person, but you aren't on good terms with them all the time. Since this person knows all about you, they also see your flaws. Hopefully, however, they accept them.

Guess what? The closer you get to someone, the less you like them. Of course, "like" is very different from "love" and have almost no correlation. Even so, the misanthropic philosophy still applies: if you want to be liked, stay away from people.

Value

Selfish, selfless

fun-loving, duty-bound

never without a dull moment

Making a difference, making a family

Guilt-driven solitude

What motive is there to live

other than the steady beat of the pressure that pushes success

Carpe diem.