One of the most basic relationships in life is "friendship," a mutual bond between two or more people that share mutual positive emotions, feelings, and attitudes towards one another. However, there are many different degrees of friends: from associates and casual friends to good friends and best friends. When analyzing the different types of friendships and how they are different from one another, we must also analyze how they are the same. Whether they're someone you talk to twice a week in class, at work, or the gym, or someone you've shared experiences with since childhood, here are 4 qualities of a valuable friend.

1. They are trustworthy and confidential.

Trust is basically the building block of any good relationship. When someone proves that they are confidential and interpersonal, it is much easier to confide in them and let them into your "real life". Stronger bonds form between those who trust each other. This leads to their friendship becoming much more exclusive and purposeful.

2. They are a good listener.

Whenever you're stuck with an internal conflict and have no idea who to turn to, a valuable friend is someone who should always be there. Sometimes, we humans simply need to vent and express our feelings in order to feel alleviated of stress and anguish. A good friend should be able to listen to your problem, analyze your problem, and then give you feedback based on what they pulled apart from your problem.

3. They are respectful and thoughtful.

A solid friendship is not always a walk in the park. Friends fight, argue, and also disagree. However, there's a fine line between what's okay to say in a disagreement, and what is just hurtful. A good friend knows how to be considerate and critical without being condescending. Constructive criticism is not a negative thing, and it does help build and improve character.

4. They care about your best interests.

Any good relationship is one where two species can benefit from one another without negatively affecting the other. Any good person should always have their friend's best interests in mind, even if it's not what they want to hear or do.