It is my experience that people by nature, tend to love themselves the most. Doesn't matter what the reality is, the subject of "I" is of prime importance to everyone.
Someone may appreciate you for what you are today, but if the same person gets a chance to somehow promote him/herself to an adequate extent, the same person may emabark on a deriding quest to depict himself superior to you, irrespective of how accurate or inaccurate that may be.
Friends - are they exempt from this sentiment? Depends on the person who is a friend, and what your definition of friend is."Friend" is a dicey term - it is often used in general to refer to anyone who is currently on amicable terms with you. It is only when that relaion is put to the test in due course of time, do we actually understand another's degree of friendship or potential to be a friend.
So, if your definition of "friend" is very liberal, you may find that they are not exempt from this aspect of life and if the definition is very exacting, you may actually find a few who may be exceptions to this rule. "Friend", it must be kept in mind is a relationship dictated by match of mental wavelengths and not blood bonds hence it is naturally more fragile and vulnerable.
In a way, I don't blame anybody for the same because they say, "Man is a selfish being." And I feel it is so as the above thoughts corroborate. If you think about it, trying to prove to yourself or others that you are superior in what you do or are, is directly connected to your confidence as a person. Most human beings indulge in it at some point in their lives, some in a mild manner and some in an agressive manner.
