Do we need friends in life?

Namish Gali, Dark Knight of Quora

This is Isaac Newton.

He was… an asshole.

And a loner.

He had no wife, no girlfriends, several dozen enemies and a non-existent social life.

He had just ONE friend his entire life.

In college, he found a guy named John Wickins.

Their friendship sparked when both of them bumped into each other while taking walks. It turned out, both were fed up with their loudmouth roommates, so they decided to move in together.

Over the years, they studied together and despite Isaac’s weirdness, Wickins put up with him. He became a caring figure, always making sure Newton ate and slept properly.

Their discussions largely revolved around academia - a common interest. And Wickins found himself helping Newton with his crazy experiments from time to time.

But it wasn’t to last.

There’s speculation that Newton and Wickins had a major falling out years later, and it’s not an unfounded suspicion.

Newton was cold, callous, rude and generally didn’t have much time for people until he needed them.

After Wickins left, he never spoke of Newton again. It’s a bit strange since most people would’ve liked to say they’ve known a famous/influential guy.

But there’s nothing. He didn’t even mention he knew Newton to his own son.

After he left, Newton realized just how much work Wickins had selflessly been doing for his laboratory.

Still, all he did was to find a new assistant.

And that was the end of the friendship.

The only one he ever had.

Some people aren’t cut out for friends.

They can’t stand other people and other people can’t stand them.

They should just lock themselves in rooms and make themselves useful.

It’s best for everyone.

Newton didn’t exactly have an easy or a fun life. It was riddled with hardship, tragedy, loss and little joy.

But he did end up famous.

And, as the eternal debate between enjoying life in the present moment versus working to have an eternal impact on Earth rages on, we must think for ourselves.

What life do we want?

You don’t “need” friends.

They’re not essential like air or water. But they do have benefits and drawbacks, like most things.

You choose the life you want to lead.

I’ve chosen mine.

---

▌VOCABULARY:

feed up with：给某人以充分的或有营养的食物; 使对…厌烦；
revolve around sb/sth： have sb/sth as its chief concern; centre on sb/sth 以某人[某事物]为中心: My life revolves around my job. 我的工作是我生活的中心。
academia：n. 学术界; 学术生涯；
speculation：思考; 思索; 推断; 推测；
fall out (with sb)： quarrel (with sb) (与某人)争吵: They fell out with each other just before their marriage. 他们就在举行婚礼之前吵了起来。
unfounded：with no basis in fact; groundless 无事实根据的; 无基础的: unfounded rumours, suspicions, hopes 毫无根据的谣言、无端的猜疑、虚幻的希望；
callous：冷酷无情的; 无同情心的；
calloused：(of the skin) hardened; having calluses (指皮肤)硬化的, 有茧子的: calloused hands 有茧子的手。
riddle sb/sth with sth：[esp passive 尤用於被动语态] affect sb/sth completely 严重影响或侵袭某人[某事物]: They areriddled with disease. 他们饱受病痛之苦。