Virtuous or perfected friendship is possible only between those who are relevantly equal, though the measure of equality is not quantitative but proportional. The only degree of inequality that would entirely negate the possibility of friendship would be that which divides humanity from the gods. Virtuous friendship is the ground and model for the good polis. These virtues are partly innate but largely learned from masters. Moral excellence is also learned.
Moral virtue is a mean between excesses, a balance point.
Rage is not virtuous because it is excessive and uncontrolled. Courage is the virtue at the balance point between heedlessness and cowardice, which are both excessive forms of the same thing. Virtuous actions can only be done by conscious individuals making choices. Men of virtue form a minority, though they are able to promote what in fact are the greatest of human interests. Mob rule is the rule of passion.