INTRODUCTORYNOTE
MARCUSTULLIUSCICERO，thegreatestofRomanoratorsandthechiefmasterofLatinprosestyle，wasbornatArpinum，Jan。
3，106B。C。Hisfather，whowasamanofpropertyandbelongedtotheclassofthe\"Knights，\"movedtoRomewhenCicerowasachild；andthefuturestatesmanreceivedanelaborateeducationinrhetoric，law，andphilosophy，studyingandpractisingundersomeofthemostnotedteachersofthetime。Hebeganhiscareerasanadvocateattheageoftwenty—five，andalmostimmediatelycametoberecognizednotonlyasamanofbrillianttalentsbutalsoasacourageousupholderofjusticeinthefaceofgravepoliticaldanger。AftertwoyearsofpracticeheleftRometotravelinGreeceandAsia，takingalltheopportunitiesthatofferedtostudyhisartunderdistinguishedmasters。HereturnedtoRomegreatlyimprovedinhealthandinprofessionalskill，andin76B。C。waselectedtotheofficeofquaestor。HewasassignedtotheprovinceofLilybaruminSicily，andthevigorandjusticeofhisadministrationearnedhimthegratitudeoftheinhabitants。Itwasattheirrequestthatheundertookin70B。C。theProsecutionofVerres，whoasPraetorhadsubjectedtheSicilianstoincredibleextortionandoppression；andhissuccessfulconductofthiscase，whichendedintheconvictionandbanishmentofVerres，maybesaidtohavelaunchedhimonhispoliticalcareer。Hebecameaedileinthesameyear，in67B。C。praetor，andin64B。C。waselectedconsulbyalargemajority。ThemostimportanteventoftheyearofhisconsulshipwastheconspiracyofCatiline。Thisnotoriouscriminalofpatricianrankhadconspiredwithanumberofothers，manyofthemyoungmenofhighbirthbutdissipatedcharacter，toseizethechiefofficesofthestate，andtoextricatethemselvesfromthepecuniaryandotherdifficultiesthathadresultedfromtheirexcesses，bythewholesaleplunderofthecity。
TheplotwasunmaskedbythevigilanceofCicero，fiveofthetraitorsweresummarilyexecuted，andintheoverthrowofthearmythathadbeengatheredintheirsupportCatilinehimselfperished。Ciceroregardedhimselfasthesaviorofhiscountry，andhiscountryforthemomentseemedtogivegratefulassent。
Butreverseswereathand。DuringtheexistenceofthepoliticalcombinationofPompey，Caesar，andCrassus，knownasthefirsttriumvirate，P。Clodius，anenemyofCicero’s，proposedalawbanishing\"anyonewhohadputRomancitizenstodeathwithouttrial。\"ThiswasaimedatCiceroonaccountofhisshareintheCatilineaffair，andinMarch，58B。C。，heleftRome。Thesamedayalawwaspassedbywhichhewasbanishedbyname，andhispropertywasplunderedanddestroyed，atempletoLibertybeingerectedonthesiteofhishouseinthecity。DuringhisexileCicero’smanlinesstosomeextentdesertedhim。Hedriftedfromplacetoplace，seekingtheprotectionofofficialsagainstassassination，writinglettersurginghissupporterstoagitateforhisrecall，sometimesaccusingthemoflukewarmnessandeventreachery，bemoaningtheingratitudeofhis’countryorregrettingthecourseofactionthathadledtohisoutlawry，andsufferingfromextremedepressionoverhisseparationfromhiswifeandchildrenandthewreckofhispoliticalambitions。FinallyinAugust，57B。C。，thedecreeforhisrestorationwaspassed，andhereturnedtoRomethenextmonth，beingreceivedwithimmensepopularenthusiasm。DuringthenextfewyearstherenewaloftheunderstandingamongthetriumvirsshutCicerooutfromanyleadingpartinpolitics，andheresumedhisactivityinthelaw—courts，hismostimportantcasebeing，perhaps，thedefenceofMiloforthemurder。ofClodius，Cicero’smosttroublesomeenemy。Thisoration，intherevisedforminwhichithascomedowntous，isrankedasamongthefinestspecimensoftheartoftheorator，thoughinitsoriginalformitfailedtosecureMilo’sacquittal。Meantime，Cicerowasalsodevotingmuchtimetoliterarycomposition，andhislettersshowgreatdejectionoverthepoliticalsituation，andasomewhatwaveringattitudetowardsthevariouspartiesinthestate。In55B。C。hewenttoCiliciainAsiaMinorasproconsul，anofficewhichheadministeredwithefficiencyandintegrityincivilaffairsandwithsuccessinmilitary。
HereturnedtoItalyintheendofthefollowingyear，andhewaspubliclythankedbythesenateforhisservices，butdisappointedinhishopesforatriumph。ThewarforsupremacybetweenCaesarandPompeywhichhadforsometimebeengraduallygrowingmorecertain，brokeoutin49B。C。，whenCaesarledhisarmyacrosstheRubicon，andCiceroaftermuchirresolutionthrewinhislotwithPompey，whowasoverthrownthenextyearinthebattleofPharsalusandlatermurderedinEgypt。CiceroreturnedtoItaly，whereCaesartreatedhimmagnanimously，andforsometimehedevotedhimselftophilosophicalandrhetoricalwriting。In46B。C。
hedivorcedhiswifeTerentia，towhomhehadbeenmarriedforthirtyyearsandmarriedtheyoungandwealthyPubliliainordertorelievehimselffromfinancialdifficulties；butheralsoheshortlydivorced。Caesar，whohadnowbecomesupremeinRome，wasassassinatedin44B。C。，andthoughCicerowasnotasharerintheconspiracy，heseemstohaveapprovedthedeed。IntheconfusionwhichfollowedhesupportedthecauseoftheconspiratorsagainstAntony；andwhenfinallythetriumvirateofAntony，Octavius，andLepiduswasestablished，Cicerowasincludedamongtheproscribed，andonDecember7，43B。C。，hewaskilledbyagentsofAntony。HisheadandhandwerecutoffandexhibitedatRome。
Themostimportantorationsofthelastmonthsofhislifewerethefourteen\"Philippics\"deliveredagainstAntony，andthepriceofthisenmityhepaidwithhislife。
TohiscontemporariesCicerowasprimarilythegreatforensicandpoliticaloratorofhistime，andthefifty—eightspeecheswhichhavecomedowntousbeartestimonytotheskill，wit，eloquence，andPassionwhichgavehimhispre—eminence。Butthesespeechesofnecessitydealwiththeminutedetailsoftheoccasionswhichcalledthemforth，andsorequirefortheirappreciationafullknowledgeofthehistory，politicalandpersonal，ofthetime。Theletters，ontheotherhand，arelesselaboratebothinstyleandinthehandlingofcurrentevents，whiletheyservetorevealhispersonality，andtothrowlightuponRomanlifeinthelastdaysoftheRepublicinanextremelyvividfashion。Ciceroasaman，inspiteofhisself—importance，thevacillationofhispoliticalconductindesperatecrises，andthewhiningdespondencyofhistimesofadversity，standsoutasatbottomapatrioticRomanofsubstantialhonesty，whogavehislifetochecktheinevitablefallofthecommonwealthtowhichhewasdevoted。TheevilswhichwereunderminingtheRepublicbearsomanystrikingresemblancestothosewhichthreatenthecivicandnationallifeofAmericato—daythattheinterestoftheperiodisbynomeansmerelyhistorical。
Asaphilosopher，Cicero’smostimportantfunctionwastomakehiscountrymenfamiliarwiththemainschoolsofGreekthought。
Muchofthiswritingisthusofsecondaryinteresttousincomparisonwithhisoriginals，butinthefieldsofreligioustheoryandoftheapplicationofphilosophytolifehemadeimportantfirst—handcontributions。Fromtheseworkshavebeenselectedthetwotreatises，onOldAgeandonFriendship，whichhaveprovedofmostpermanentandwidespreadinteresttoposterity，andwhichgiveaclearimpressionofthewayinwhichahigh—mindedRomanthoughtaboutsomeofthemainproblems’ofhumanlife。
OnFriendshipbyMarcusTulliusCicerotranslatedbyE。S。ShuckburghTHEaugurQuintusMuciusScaevolausedtorecountanumberofstoriesabouthisfather—in—lawGalusLaelius，accuratelyrememberedandcharminglytold；andwheneverhetalkedabouthimalwaysgavehimthetitleof\"thewise\"withoutanyhesitation。
IhadbeenintroducedbymyfathertoScaevolaassoonasIhadassumedthe_togavirilis_，andItookadvantageoftheintroductionnevertoquitthevenerableman’ssideaslongasIwasabletostayandhewassparedtous。TheconsequencewasthatI
committedtomemorymanydisquisitionsofhis，aswellasmanyshortpointedapophthegms，and，inshort，tookasmuchadvantageofhiswisdomasIcould。Whenhedied，IattachedmyselftoScaevolathePontifex，whomImayventuretocallquitethemostdistinguishedofourcountrymenforabilityanduprightness。ButofthislatterIshalltakeotheroccasionstospeak。ToreturntoScaevolatheaugur。AmongmanyotheroccasionsIparticularlyrememberone。Hewassittingonasemicirculargarden—bench，aswashiscustom，whenIandaveryfewintimatefriendswerethere，andhechancedtoturntheconversationuponasubjectwhichaboutthattimewasinmanypeople’smouths。Youmustremember，Atticus，foryouwereveryintimatewithPubliusSulpicius，whatexpressionsofastonishment，orevenindignation，werecalledforthbyhismortalquarrel，astribune，withtheconsulQuintusPompeius，withwhomhehadformerlylivedontermsoftheclosestintimacyandaffection。Well，onthisoccasion，happeningtomentionthisparticularcircumstance，ScaevoladetailedtousadiscourseofLaeliusonfriendshipdeliveredtohimselfandLaelius’sotherson—in—lawGalusFannius，sonofMarcusFannius，afewdaysafterthedeathofAfricanus。ThepointsofthatdiscussionIcommittedtomemory，andhavearrangedtheminthisbookatmyowndiscretion。ForIhavebroughtthespeakers，asitwere，personallyontomystagetopreventtheconstant\"saidI\"and\"saidhe\"ofanarrative，andtogivethediscoursetheairofbeingorallydeliveredinourhearing。
YouhaveoftenurgedmetowritesomethingonFriendship，andI
quiteacknowledgedthatthesubjectseemedonewortheverybody’sinvestigation，andspeciallysuitedtothecloseintimacythathasexistedbetweenyouandme。AccordinglyIwasquitereadytobenefitthepublicatyourrequest。
Astothe_dramatispersonae_。InthetreatiseonOldAge，whichI
dedicatedtoyou，IintroducedCatoaschiefspeaker。Noone，I
thought，couldwithgreaterproprietyspeakonoldagethanonewhohadbeenanoldmanlongerthananyoneelse，andhadbeenexceptionallyvigorousinhisoldage。Similarly，havinglearntfromtraditionthatofallfriendshipsthatbetweenGaiusLaeliusandPubliusScipiowasthemostremarkable，IthoughtLaeliuswasjustthepersontosupportthechiefpartinadiscussiononfriendshipwhichScaevolarememberedhimtohaveactuallytaken。
Moreover，adiscussionofthissortgainssomehowinweightfromtheauthorityofmenofancientdays，especiallyiftheyhappentohavebeendistinguished。SoitcomesaboutthatinreadingoverwhatIhavemyselfwrittenIhaveafeelingattimesthatitisactuallyCatothatisspeaking，notI。
Finally，asIsenttheformeressaytoyouasagiftfromoneoldmantoanother，soIhavededicatedthis_OnFriendship_asamostaffectionatefriendtohisfriend。IntheformerCatospoke，whowastheoldestandwisestmanofhisday；inthisLaeliusspeaksonfriendship—Laelius，whowasatonceawiseman（thatwasthetitlegivenhim）andeminentforhisfamousfriendship。Pleaseforgetmeforawhile；imagineLaeliustobespeaking。
GaiusFanniusandQuintusMuciuscometocallontheirfather—in—lawafterthedeathofAfricanus。Theystartthesubject；
Laeliusanswersthem。Andthewholeessayonfriendshipishis。Inreadingityouwillrecogniseapictureofyourself。
2。_Fannius_。Youarequiteright，Laelius!thereneverwasabetterormoreillustriouscharacterthanAfricanus。Butyoushouldconsiderthatatthepresentmomentalleyesareonyou。Everybodycallsyou\"thewise\"_parexcellence_，andthinksyouso。ThesamemarkofrespectwaslatelypaidCato，andweknowthatinthelastgenerationLuciusAtiliuswascalled\"thewise。\"Butinbothcasesthewordwasappliedwithacertaindifference。Atiliuswassocalledfromhisreputationasajurist；Catogotthenameasakindofhonorarytitleandinextremeoldagebecauseofhisvariedexperienceofaffairs，andhisreputationforforesightandfirmness，andthesagacityoftheopinionswhichhedeliveredinsenateandforum。You，however，areregardedaswiseinasomewhatdifferentsensenotaloneonaccountofnaturalabilityandcharacter，butalsofromyourindustryandlearning；andnotinthesenseinwhichthevulgar，butthatinwhichscholars，givethattitle。InthissensewedonotreadofanyonebeingcalledwiseinGreeceexceptonemanatAthens；andhe，tobesure，hadbeendeclaredbytheoracleofApolloalsotobe\"thesupremelywiseman。\"ForthosewhocommonlygobythenameoftheSevenSagesarenotadmittedintothecategoryofthewisebyfastidiouscritics。Yourwisdompeoplebelievetoconsistinthis，thatyoulookuponyourselfasself—sufficingandregardthechangesandchancesofmortallifeaspowerlesstoaffectyourvirtue。
Accordinglytheyarealwaysaskingme，anddoubtlessalsoourScaevolahere，howyoubearthedeathofAfricanus。ThiscuriosityhasbeenthemoreexcitedfromthefactthatontheNonesofthismonth，whenweaugursmetasusualinthesuburbanvillaofDecimusBrutusforconsultation，youwerenotpresent，thoughithadalwaysbeenyourhabittokeepthatappointmentandperformthatdutywiththeutmostpunctuality。
_Scaevola_。Yes，indeed，Laelius，IamoftenaskedthequestionmentionedbyFannius。ButIanswerinaccordancewithwhatI
haveobserved：Isaythatyoubearinareasonablemannerthegriefwhichyouhavesustainedinthedeathofonewhowasatonceamanofthemostillustriouscharacterandaverydearfriend。Thatofcourseyoucouldnotbutbeaffected—anythingelsewouldhavebeenwhollyunnaturalinamanofyourgentlenature—butthatthecauseofyournon—attendanceatourcollegemeetingwasillness，notmelancholy。
_Laelius_。Thanks，Scaevola!Youarequiteright；youspoketheexacttruth。ForinfactIhadnorighttoallowmyselftobewithdrawnfromadutywhichIhadregularlyperformed，aslongasIwaswell，byanypersonalmisfortune；nordoIthinkthatanythingthatcanhappenwillcauseamanofprincipletointermitaduty。
Asforyourtellingme，Fannius，ofthehonourableappellationgivenme（anappellationtowhichIdonotrecognisemytitle，andtowhichImakenoclaim），youdoubtlessactfromfeelingsofaffection；butImustsaythatyouseemtometodolessthanjusticetoCato。Ifanyonewasever\"wise，\"—ofwhichIhavemydoubts，—hewas。Puttingasideeverythingelse，considerhowheborehisson’sdeath!IhadnotforgottenPaulus；IhadseenwithmyowneyesGallus。Buttheylosttheirsonswhenmerechildren；Catohiswhenhewasafull—grownmanwithanassuredreputation。DonotthereforebeinahurrytoreckonasCato’ssuperioreventhatsamefamouspersonagewhomApollo，asyousay，declaredtobe\"thewisest。\"Remembertheformer’sreputationrestsondeeds，thelatter’sonwords。
3。Now，asfarasIamconcerned（Ispeaktobothofyounow），believemethecasestandsthus。IfIweretosaythatIamnotaffectedbyregretforScipio，Imustleavethephilosopherstojustifymyconduct，butinpointoffactIshouldbetellingalie。
AffectedofcourseIambythelossofafriendasIthinktherewillneverbeagain，suchasIcanfearlesslysaythereneverwasbefore。
ButIstandinnoneedofmedicine。Icanfindmyownconsolation，anditconsistschieflyinmybeingfreefromthemistakennotionwhichgenerallycausespainatthedepartureoffriends。ToScipioI
amconvincednoevilhasbefallenmineisthedisaster，ifdisastertherebe；andtobeseverelydistressedatone’sownmisfortunesdoesnotshowthatyouloveyourfriend，butthatyouloveyourself。
Asforhim，whocansaythatallisnotmorethanwell？For，unlesshehadtakenthefancytowishforimmortality，thelastthingofwhichheeverthought，whatisthereforwhichmortalmanmaywishthathedidnotattain？Inhisearlymanhoodhemorethanjustifiedbyextraordinarypersonalcouragethehopeswhichhisfellow—citizenshadconceivedofhimasachild。Heneverwasacandidatefortheconsulship，yetwaselectedconsultwice：thefirsttimebeforethelegalage；thesecondatatimewhich，asfarashewasconcerned，wassoonenough，butwasnearbeingtoolatefortheinterestsoftheState。BytheoverthrowoftwocitieswhichwerethemostbitterenemiesofourEmpire，heputanendnotonlytothewarsthenraging，butalsotothepossibilityofothersinthefuture。Whatneedtomentiontheexquisitegraceofhismanners，hisdutifuldevotiontohismother，hisgenerositytohissisters，hisliberalitytohisrelations，theintegrityofhisconducttoeveryone？
Youknowallthisalready。Finally，theestimationinwhichhisfellow—citizensheldhimhasbeenshownbythesignsofmourningwhichaccompaniedhisobsequies。Whatcouldsuchamanhavegainedbytheadditionofafewyears？Thoughageneednotbeaburden，—asIrememberCatoarguinginthepresenceofmyselfandScipiotwoyearsbeforehedied，—yetitcannotbuttakeawaythevigourandfreshnesswhichScipiowasstillenjoying。Wemayconcludethereforethathislife，fromthegoodfortunewhichhadattendedhimandthegloryhehadobtained，wassocircumstancedthatitcouldnotbebettered，whilethesuddennessofhisdeathsavedhimthesensationofdying。Astothemannerofhisdeathitisdifficulttospeak；youseewhatpeoplesuspect。Thusmuch，however，Imaysay：Scipioinhislifetimesawmanydaysofsupremetriumphandexultation，butnonemoremagnificentthanhislast，onwhich，upontherisingoftheSenate，hewasescortedbythesenatorsandthepeopleofRome，bytheallies，andbytheLatins，tohisowndoor。Fromsuchanelevationofpopularesteemthenextstepseemsnaturallytobeanascenttothegodsabove，ratherthanadescenttoHades。
4。ForIamnotoneofthesemodernphilosopherswhomaintainthatoursoulsperishwithourbodies，andthatdeathendsall。Withmeancientopinionhasmoreweight：whetheritbethatofourownancestors，whoattributedsuchsolemnobservancestothedead，astheyplainlywouldnothavedoneiftheyhadbelievedthemtobewhollyannihilated；orthatofthephilosopherswhooncevisitedthiscountry，andwhobytheirmaximsanddoctrineseducatedMagnaGraecia，whichatthattimewasinaflourishingcondition，thoughithasnowbeenruined；orthatofthemanwhowasdeclaredbyApollo’soracletobe\"mostwise，\"andwhousedtoteachwithoutthevariationwhichistobefoundinmostphilosophersthat\"thesoulsofmenaredivine，andthatwhentheyhavequittedthebodyareturntoheavenisopentothem，leastdifficulttothosewhohavebeenmostvirtuousandjust。\"ThisopinionwassharedbyScipio。Onlyafewdaysbeforehisdeath—asthoughhehadapresentimentofwhatwascoming—hediscoursedforthreedaysonthestateoftherepublic。ThecompanyconsistedofPhilusandManliusandseveralothers，andIhadbroughtyou，Scaevola，alongwithme。Thelastpartofhisdiscoursereferredprincipallytotheimmortalityofthesoul；forhetolduswhathehadheardfromtheelderAfricanusinadream。Nowifitbetruethatinproportiontoaman’sgoodnesstheescapefromwhatmaybecalledtheprisonandbondsofthefleshiseasiest，whomcanweimaginetohavehadaneasiervoyagetothegodsthanScipio？Iamdisposedtothink，therefore，thatinhiscasemourningwouldbeasignofenvyratherthanoffriendship。If，however，thetruthratheristhatthebodyandsoulperishtogether，andthatnosensationremains，thenthoughthereisnothinggoodindeath，atleastthereisnothingbad。Removesensation，andamanisexactlyasthoughhehadneverbeenborn；andyetthatthismanwasbornisajoytome，andwillbeasubjectofrejoicingtothisStatetoitslasthour。
Wherefore，asIsaidbefore，allisaswellaspossiblewithhim。Notsowithme；forasIenteredlifebeforehim，itwouldhavebeenfairerformetoleaveitalsobeforehim。YetsuchisthepleasureI
takeinrecallingourfriendship，thatIlookuponmylifeashavingbeenahappyonebecauseIhavespentitwithScipio。WithhimI
wasassociatedinpublicandprivatebusiness；withhimIlivedinRomeandservedabroad；andbetweenustherewasthemostcompleteharmonyinourtastes，ourpursuits，andoursentiments，whichisthetruesecretoffriendship。ItisnotthereforeinthatreputationforwisdommentionedjustnowbyFannius—especiallyasithappenstobegroundless—thatIfindmyhappinesssomuch，asinthehopethatthememoryofourfriendshipwillbelasting。Whatmakesmecarethemoreaboutthisisthefactthatinallhistorytherearescarcelythreeorfourpairsoffriendsonrecord；anditisclassedwiththemthatIcherishahopeofthefriendshipofScipioandLaeliusbeingknowntoposterity。
_Fannius_。Ofcoursethatmustbeso，Laelius。Butsinceyouhavementionedthewordfriendship，andweareatleisure，youwouldbedoingmeagreatkindness，andIexpectScaevolaalso，ifyouwoulddoasitisyourhabittodowhenaskedquestionsonothersubjects，andtellusyoursentimentsaboutfriendship，itsnature，andtherulestobeobservedinregardtoit。
_Scaevola_。Ishallofcoursebedelighted。FanniushasanticipatedtheveryrequestIwasabouttomake。Soyouwillbedoingusbothagreatfavour。
5。_Laelius_。IshouldccrtainlyhavenoobjectionifIfeltconfidenceinmyself。Forthethemeisanobleone，andweare（asFanniushassaid）atleisure。ButwhoamI？andwhatabilityhaveI？Whatyouproposeisallverywellforprofessionalphilosophers，whoareused，particularlyifGreeks，tohavethesubjectfordiscussionproposedtothemonthespurofthemoment。Itisataskofconsiderabledifficulty，andrequiresnolittlepractice。
Thereforeforasetdiscourseonfriendshipyoumustgo，Ithink，toprofessionallecturers。AllIcandoistourgeonyoutoregardfriendshipasthegreatestthingintheworld；forthereisnothingwhichsofitsinwithournature，orissoexactlywhatwewantinprosperityoradversity。
ButImustattheverybeginninglaydownthisprinciple—
_friendshipcanonlyexistbetweengoodmen_。Idonot，however，pressthistooclosely，likethephilosopherswhopushtheirdefinitionstoasuperfluousaccuracy。Theyhavetruthontheirside，perhaps，butitisofnopracticaladvantage。Those，Imean，whosaythatnoonebutthe\"wise\"is\"good。\"Granted，byallmeans。Butthe\"wisdom\"theymeanisonetowhichnomortaleveryetattained。Wemustconcernourselveswiththefactsofeverydaylifeaswefindit—notimaginaryandidealperfections。
EvenGaiusFannius，ManiusCurius，andTiberiusCoruncanius，whomourancestorsdecidedtobe\"wise，\"Icouldneverdeclaretobesoaccordingtotheirstandard。Letthem，then，keepthisword\"wisdom\"tothemselves。Everybodyisirritatedbyit；nooneunderstandswhatitmeans。LetthembutgrantthatthemenI
mentionedwere\"good。\"No，theywon’tdothateither。Noonebutthe\"wise\"canbeallowedthattitle，saythey。Well，then，letusdismissthemandmanageasbestwemaywithourownpoormotherwit，asthephraseis。
Wemeanthenbythe\"good\"_thosewhoseactionsandlivesleavenoquestionastotheirhonour，purity，equity，andliberality；whoarefreefromgreed，lust，andviolence；andwhohavethecourageoftheirconvictions_。ThemenIhavejustnamedmayserveasexamples。Suchmenasthesebeinggenerallyaccounted\"good，\"
letusagreetocallthemso，onthegroundthattothebestofhumanabilitytheyfollownatureasthemostperfectguidetoagoodlife。
Nowthistruthseemscleartome，thatnaturehassoformedusthatacertaintieunitesusall，butthatthistiebecomesstrongerfromproximity。Soitisthatfellow—citizensarepreferredinouraffectionstoforeigners，relationstostrangers；forintheircaseNatureherselfhascausedakindoffriendshiptoexist，thoughitisonewhichlackssomeoftheelementsofpermanence。Friendshipexcelsrelationshipinthis，thatwhereasyoumayeliminateaffectionfromrelationship，youcannotdosofromfriendship。
Withoutitrelationshipstillexistsinname，friendshipdoesnot。
Youmaybestunderstandthisfriendshipbyconsideringthat，whereasthemerelynaturaltiesunitingthehumanraceareindefinite，thisoneissoconcentrated，andconfinedtosonarrowasphere，thataffectioniseversharedbytwopersonsonlyoratmostbyafew。
6。Nowfriendshipmaybethusdefined：acompleteaccordonallsubjectshumananddivine，joinedwithmutualgoodwillandaffection。Andwiththeexceptionofwisdom，Iaminclinedtothinknothingbetterthanthishasbeengiventomanbytheimmortalgods。Therearepeoplewhogivethepalmtorichesortogoodhealth，ortopowerandoffice，manyeventosensualpleasures。Thislastistheidealofbrutebeasts；andoftheotherswemaysaythattheyarefrailanduncertain，anddependlessonourownprudencethanonthecapriceoffortune。Thentherearethosewhofindthe\"chiefgood\"invirtue。Well，thatisanobledoctrine。Buttheveryvirtuetheytalkofistheparentandpreserveroffriendship，andwithoutitfriendshipcannotpossiblyexist。
Letus，Irepeat，usethewordvirtueintheordinaryacceptationandmeaningoftheterm，anddonotletusdefineitinhigh—flownlanguage。Letusaccountasgoodthepersonsusuallyconsideredso，suchasPaulus，Cato，Gallus，Scipio，andPhilus。Suchmenasthesearegoodenoughforeverydaylife；andweneednottroubleourselvesaboutthoseidealcharacterswhicharenowheretobemetwith。
Well，betweenmenlikethesetheadvantagesoffriendshiparealmostmorethanIcansay。Tobeginwith，howcanlifeheworthliving，tousethewordsofEnnius，whichlacksthatreposewhichistobefoundinthemutualgood—willofafriend？Whatcanbemoredelightfulthantohavesomeonetowhomyoucansayeverythingwiththesameabsoluteconfidenceastoyourself？Isnotprosperityrobbedofhalfitsvalueifyouhavenoonetoshareyourjoy？Ontheotherhand，misfortuneswouldbehardtobeariftherewerenotsomeonetofeelthemevenmoreacutelythanyourself。Inaword，otherobjectsofambitionserveforparticularends—richesforuse，powerforsecuringhomage，officeforreputation，pleasureforenjoyment，healthfor’freedomfrompainandthefulluseofthefunctionsofthebody。Butfriendshipembracesinnumerableadvantages。Turnwhichwayyouplease，youwillfinditathand。Itiseverywhere；andyetneveroutofplace，neverunwelcome。Fireandwaterthemselves，touseacommonexpression，arenotofmoreuniversalusethanfriendship。
Iamnotnowspeakingofthecommonormodifiedformofit，thougheventhatisasourceofpleasureandprofit，butofthattrueandcompletefriendshipwhichexistedbetweentheselectfewwhoareknowntofame。Suchfriendshipenhancesprosperity，andrelievesadversityofitsburdenbyhalvingandsharingit。
7。Andgreatandnumerousasaretheblessingsoffriendship，thiscertainlyisthesovereignone，thatitgivesusbrighthopesforthefutureandforbidsweaknessanddespair。Inthefaceofatruefriendamanseesasitwereasecondself。Sothatwherehisfriendisheis；ifhisfriendberich，heisnotpoor；thoughhebeweak，hisfriend’sstrengthishis；andinhisfriend’slifeheenjoysasecondlifeafterhisownisfinished。Thislastisperhapsthemostdifficulttoconceive。Butsuchistheeffectoftherespect，thelovingremembrance，andtheregretoffriendswhichfollowustothegrave。Whiletheytakethestingoutofdeath，theyaddaglorytothelifeofthesurvivors。Nay，ifyoueliminatefromnaturethetieofaffection，therewillbeanendofhouseandcity，norwillsomuchasthecultivationofthesoilbeleft。Ifyoudon’tseethevirtueoffriendshipandharmony，youmaylearnitbyobservingtheeffectsofquarrelsandfeuds。Wasanyfamilyeversowellestablished，anyStatesofirmlysettled，astobebeyondthereachofutterdestructionfromanimositiesandfactions？Thismayteachyoutheimmenseadvantageoffriendship。
TheysaythatacertainphilosopherofAgrigentum，inaGreekpoem，pronouncedwiththeauthorityofanoraclethedoctrinethatwhateverinnatureandtheuniversewasunchangeablewassoinvirtueofthebindingforceoffriendship；whateverwaschangeablewassobythesolventpowerofdiscord。Andindeedthisisatruthwhicheverybodyunderstandsandpracticallyattestsbyexperience。
Forifanymarkedinstanceofloyalfriendshipinconfrontingorsharingdangercomestolight，everyoneapplaudsittotheecho。
Whatcheerstherewere，forinstance，alloverthetheatreatapassageinthenewplayofmyfriendandguestPacuvius；wheretheking，notknowingwhichofthetwowasOrestes，PyladesdeclaredhimselftobeOrestes，thathemightdieinhisstead，whiletherealOresteskeptonassertingthatitwashe。Theaudiencerose_enmasse_andclappedtheirhands。Andthiswasatanincidentinfiction：whatwouldtheyhavedone，mustwesuppose，ifithadbeeninreallife？Youcaneasilyseewhatanaturalfeelingitis，whenmenwhowouldnothavehadtheresolutiontoactthusthemselves，shewedhowrighttheythoughtitinanother。
Idon’tthinkIhaveanymoretosayaboutfriendship。Ifthereisanymore，andIhavenodoubtthereismuch，youmust，ifyoucaretodoso，consultthosewhoprofesstodiscusssuchmatters。
_Fannius_。Wewouldratherapplytoyou。YetIhaveoftenconsultedsuchpersons，andhaveheardwhattheyhadtosaywithacertainsatisfaction。Butinyourdiscourseonesomehowfeelsthatthereisadifferentstrain。
_Scaevola_。Youwouldhavesaidthatstillmore，Fannius，ifyouhadbeenpresenttheotherdayinScipio’spleasure—groundswhenwehadthediscussionabouttheState。HowsplendidlyhestoodupforjusticeagainstPhilus’selaboratespeech。
_Fannius_。Ah!itwasnaturallyeasyforthejustestofmentostandupforjustice。
_Scaevola_。Well，then，whataboutfriendship？Whocoulddiscourseonitmoreeasilythanthemanwhosechiefgloryisafriendshipmaintainedwiththemostabsolutefidelity，constancy，andintegrity？
8。_Laclius_。Nowyouarereallyusingforce。Itmakesnodifferencewhatkindofforceyouuse：forceitis。Foritisneithereasynorrighttorefuseawishofmysons—in—law，particularlywhenthewishisacreditableoneinitself。
Well，then，ithasveryoftenoccurredtomewhenthinkingaboutfriendship，thatthechiefpointtobeconsideredwasthis：isitweaknessandwantofmeansthatmakefriendshipdesired？I
mean，isitsobjectaninterchangeofgoodoffices，sothateachmaygivethatinwhichheisstrong，andreceivethatinwhichheisweak？Orisitnotrathertruethat，althoughthisisanadvantagenaturallybelongingtofriendship，yetitsoriginalcauseisquiteother，priorintime，morenobleincharacter，andspringingmoredirectlyfromournatureitself？TheLatinwordforfriendship—
_amicitia_—isderivedfromthatforlove—_amor_；andloveiscertainlytheprimemoverincontractingmutualaffection。
Forastomaterialadvantages，itoftenhappensthatthoseareobtainedevenbymenwhoarecourtedbyamereshowoffriendshipandtreatedwithrespectfrominterestedmotives。Butfriendshipbyitsnatureadmitsofnofeigning，nopretence：asfarasitgoesitisbothgenuineandspontaneous。ThereforeIgatherthatfriendshipspringsfromanaturalimpulseratherthanawishforhelp：fromaninclinationoftheheart，combinedwithacertaininstinctivefeelingoflove，ratherthanfromadeliberatecalculationofthematerialadvantageitwaslikelytoconfer。Thestrengthofthisfeelingyoumaynoticeincertainanimals。Theyshowsuchlovetotheiroffspringforacertainperiod，andaresobelovedbythem，thattheyclearlyhaveashareinthisnatural，instinctiveaffection。Butofcourseitismoreevidentinthecaseofman：first，inthenaturalaffectionbetweenchildrenandtheirparents，anaffectionwhichonlyshockingwickednesscansunder；andnext，whenthepassionoflovehasattainedtoalikestrength—onourfinding，thatis，someonepersonwithwhosecharacterandnatureweareinfullsympathy，becausewethinkthatweperceiveinhimwhatImaycallthebeacon—lightofvirtue。Fornothinginspireslove，nothingconciliatesaffection，likevirtue。Why，inacertainsensewemaybesaidtofeelaffectionevenformenwehaveneverseen，owingtotheirhonestyandvirtue。Who，forinstance，failstodwellonthememoryofGaiusFabriciusandManiusCuriuswithsomeaffectionandwarmthoffeeling，thoughhehasneverseenthem？OrwhobutloathesTarquiniusSuperbus，SpuriusCassius，SpuriusMaelius？WehavefoughtforempireinItalywithtwogreatgenerals，PyrrhusandHannibal。Fortheformer，owingtohisprobity，weentertainnogreatfeelingsofenmity：thelatter，owingtohiscruelty，ourcountryhasdetestedandalwayswilldetest。
9。Now，iftheattractionofprobityissogreatthatwecanloveitnotonlyinthosewhomwehaveneverseen，but，whatismore，actuallyinanenemy，weneednotbesurprisedifmen’saffectionsarerousedwhentheyfancythattheyhaveseenvirtueandgoodnessinthosewithwhomacloseintimacyispossible。Idonotdenythataffectionisstrengthenedbytheactualreceiptofbenefits，aswellasbytheperceptionofawishtorenderservice，combinedwithacloserintercourse。Whentheseareaddedtotheoriginalimpulseoftheheart，towhichIhavealluded，aquitesurprisingwarmthoffeelingspringsup。Andifanyonethinksthatthiscomesfromasenseofweakness，thateachmayhavesomeonetohelphimtohisparticularneed，allIcansayisthat，whenhemaintainsittobebornofwantandpoverty，heallowstofriendshipanoriginverybase，andapedigree，ifImaybeallowedtheexpression，farfromnoble。Ifthishadbeenthecase，aman’sinclinationtofriendshipwouldbeexactlyinproportiontohislowopinionofhisownresources。Whereasthetruthisquitetheotherway。Forwhenaman’sconfidenceinhimselfisgreatest，whenheissofortifiedbyvirtueandwisdomastowantnothingandtofeelabsolutelyself—dependent，itisthenthatheismostconspicuousforseekingoutandkeepingupfriendships。DidAfricanus，forexample，wantanythingofme？Nottheleastintheworld!
NeitherdidIofhim。Inmycaseitwasanadmirationofhisvirtue，inhisanopinion，maybe，whichheentertainedofmycharacter，thatcausedouraffection。Closerintimacyaddedtothewarmthofourfeelings。Butthoughmanygreatmaterialadvantagesdidensue，theywerenotthesourcefromwhichouraffectionproceeded。Foraswearenotbeneficentandliberalwithanyviewofextortinggratitude，anddonotregardanactofkindnessasaninvestment，butfollowanaturalinclinationtoliberality；sowelookonfriendshipasworthtryingfor，notbecauseweareattractedtoitbytheexpectationofulteriorgain，butintheconvictionthatwhatithastogiveusisfromfirsttolastincludedinthefeelingitself。
Fardifferentistheviewofthosewho，likebrutebeasts，refereverythingtosensualpleasure。Andnowonder。Menwhohavedegradedalltheirpowersofthoughttoanobjectsomeanandcontemptiblecanofcourseraisetheireyestonothinglofty，tonothinggrandanddivine。Suchpersonsindeedletusleaveoutofthepresentquestion。Andletusacceptthedoctrinethatthesensationofloveandthewarmthofinclinationhavetheirorigininaspontaneousfeelingwhicharisesdirectlythepresenceofprobityisindicated。Whenoncemenhaveconceivedtheinclination，theyofcoursetrytoattachthemselvestotheobjectofit，andmovethemselvesnearerandnearertohim。Theiraimisthattheymaybeonthesamefootingandthesamelevelinregardtoaffection，andbemoreinclinedtodoagoodservicethantoaskareturn，andthatthereshouldbethisnoblerivalrybetweenthem。Thusbothtruthswillbeestablished。Weshallgetthemostimportantmaterialadvantagesfromfriendship；anditsoriginfromanaturalimpulseratherthanfromasenseofneedwillbeatoncemoredignifiedandmoreinaccordancewithfact。Forifitweretruethatitsmaterialadvantagescementedfriendship，itwouldbeequallytruethatanychangeinthemwoulddissolveit。Butnaturebeingincapableofchange，itfollowsthatgenuinefriendshipsareeternal。
Somuchfortheoriginoffriendship。Butperhapsyouwouldnotcaretohearanymore。
_Fannius_。Nay，praygoon；letushavetherest，Laelius。Itakeonmyselftospeakformyfriendhereashissenior。
_Scaevola_。Quiteright!Therefore，prayletushear。
10。_Loelius_。Well，then，mygoodfriends，listentosomeconversationsaboutfriendshipwhichveryfrequentlypassedbetweenScipioandmyself。Imustbeginbytellingyou，however，thatbeusedtosaythatthemostdifficultthingintheworldwasforafriendshiptoremainunimpairedtotheendoflife。Somanythingsmightintervene：conflictinginterests；differencesofopinioninpolitics；frequentchangesincharacter，owingsometimestomisfortunes，sometimestoadvancingyears。Heusedtoillustratethesefactsfromtheanalogyofboyhood，sincethewarmestaffectionsbetweenboysareoftenlaidasidewiththeboyishtoga；
andeveniftheydidmanagetokeepthemuptoadolescence，theyweresometimesbrokenbyarivalryincourtship，orforsomeotheradvantagetowhichtheirmutualclaimswerenotcompatible。
Evenifthefriendshipwasprolongedbeyondthattime，yetitfrequentlyreceivedarudeshockshouldthetwohappentobecompetitorsforoffice。Forwhilethemostfatalblowtofriendshipinthemajorityofcaseswasthelustofgold，inthecaseofthebestmenitwasarivalryforofficeandreputation，bywhichithadoftenhappenedthatthemostviolentenmityhadarisenbetweentheclosestfriends。
Again，widebreachesand，forthemostpart，justifiableoneswerecausedbyanimmoralrequestbeingmadeoffriends，topandertoaman’sunholydesiresortoassisthimininflictingawrong。A
refusal，thoughperfectlyright，isattackedbythosetowhomtheyrefusecomplianceasaviolationofthelawsoffriendship。Nowthepeoplewhohavenoscruplesastotherequeststheymaketotheirfriends，therebyallowthattheyarereadytohavenoscruplesastowhattheywilldofortheirfriends；anditistherecriminationsofsuchpeoplewhichcommonlynotonlyquenchfriendships，butgiverisetolastingenmities。\"Infact，\"heusedtosay，\"thesefatalitiesoverhangfriendshipinsuchnumbersthatitrequiresnotonlywisdombutgoodluckalsotoescapethemall。\"
11。Withthesepremises，then，letusfirst，ifyouplease，examinethequestion—howfaroughtpersonalfeelingtogoinfriendship？
Forinstance：supposeCoriolanustohavehadfriends，oughttheytohavejoinedhimininvadinghiscountry？Again，inthecaseofVecellinusorSpuriusMaelius，oughttheirfriendstohaveassistedthemintheirattempttoestablishatyranny？Taketwoinstancesofeitherlineofconduct。WhenTiberiusGracchusattemptedhisrevolutionarymeasureshewasdeserted，aswesaw，byQuintusTuberoandthefriendsofhisownstanding。Ontheotherhand，afriendofyourownfamily，Scaevola，GainsBlossiusofCumae，tookadifferentcourse。IwasactingasassessortotheconsulsLaenasandRupiliustotrytheconspirators，andBlossiuspleadedformypardononthegroundthathisregardforTiberiusGracchushadbeensohighthathelookeduponhiswishesaslaw。\"EvenifhehadwishedyoutosetfiretotheCapitol？\"saidI。\"Thatisathing，\"hereplied，\"thatheneverwouldhavewished。\"\"Ah，butifhehadwishedit？\"saidI。\"Iwouldhaveobeyed。\"Thewickednessofsuchaspeechneedsnocomment。AndinpointoffacthewasasgoodandbetterthanhiswordforhedidnotwaitforordersintheaudaciousproceedingsofTiberiusGracchus，butwastheheadandfrontofthem，andwasaleaderratherthananabettorofhismadness。TheresultofhisinfatuationwasthathefledtoAsia，terrifiedbythespecialcommissionappointedtotryhim，joinedtheenemiesofhiscountry，andpaidapenaltytotherepublicasheavyasitwasdeserved。Iconclude，then，thatthepleaofhavingactedintheinterestsofafriendisnotavalidexcuseforawrongaction。For，seeingthatabeliefinaman’svirtueistheoriginalcauseoffriendship，friendshipcanhardlyremainifvirtueheabandoned。Butifwedecideittoberighttograntourfriendswhatevertheywish，andtoaskthemforwhateverwewish，perfectwisdommustbeassumedonbothsidesifnomischiefistohappen。Butwecannotassumethisperfectwisdom；forwearespeakingonlyofsuchfriendsasareordinarilytobemetwith，whetherwehaveactuallyseenthemorhavebeentoldaboutthem—men，thatistosay，ofeverydaylife。Imustquotesomeexamplesofsuchpersons，takingcaretoselectsuchasapproachnearesttoourstandardofwisdom。Weread，forinstance，thatPapusAemiliuswasaclosefriendofGaiusLuscinus。Historytellsusthattheyweretwiceconsulstogether，andcolleaguesinthecensorship。Again，itisonrecordthatManiusCuriusandTiberiusCoruncaniuswereonthemostintimatetermswiththemandwitheachother。Now，wecannotevensuspectthatanyoneofthesemeneveraskedofhisfriendanythingthatmilitatedagainsthishonourorhisoathortheinterestsoftherepublic。Inthecaseofsuchmenasthesethereisnopointinsayingthatoneofthemwouldnothaveobtainedsucharequestifhehadmadeit；fortheyweremenofthemostscrupulouspiety，andthemakingofsucharequestwouldinvolveabreachofreligiousobligationnolessthanthegrantingit。However，itisquitetruethatGaiusCarboandGaiusCatodidfollowTiberiusGracchus；andthoughhisbrotherCaiusGracchusdidnotdosoatthetime，heisnowthemosteagerofthemall。
12。Wemaythenlaydownthisruleoffriendship—neitherasknorconsenttodowhatiswrong。Fortheplea\"forfriendship’ssake\"isadiscreditableone，andnottobeadmittedforamoment。Thisruleholdsgoodforallwrong—doing，butmoreespeciallyinsuchasinvolvesdisloyaltytotherepublic。Forthingshavecometosuchapointwithus，mydearFanniusandScaevola，thatweareboundtolooksomewhatfaraheadtowhatislikelytohappentotherepublic。Theconstitution，asknowntoourancestors，hasalreadyswervedsomewhatfromtheregularcourseandthelinesmarkedoutforit。TiberiusGracchusmadeanattempttoobtainthepowerofaking，or，Imightrathersay，enjoyedthatpowerforafewmonths。HadtheRomanpeopleeverheardorseenthelikebefore？
Whatthefriendsandconnexionsthatfollowedhim，evenafterhisdeath，havesucceededindoinginthecaseofPubliusScipioI
cannotdescribewithouttears。AsforCarbo，thankstothepunishmentrecentlyinflictedonTiberiusGracchus，wehavebyhookorbycrookmanagedtoholdoutagainsthisattacks。ButwhattoexpectofthetribuneshipofCaiusGracchusIdonotliketoforecast。Onethingleadstoanother；andoncesetgoing，thedownwardcourseproceedswithever—increasingvelocity。Thereisthecaseoftheballot：whatablowwasinflictedfirstbythelexGabinia，andtwoyearsafterwardsbythelexCassia!IseemalreadytoseethepeopleestrangedfromtheSenate，andthemostimportantaffairsatthemercyofthemultitude。Foryoumaybesurethatmorepeoplewilllearnhowtosetsuchthingsinmotionthanhowtostopthem。Whatisthepointoftheseremarks？This：
nooneevermakesanyattemptofthissortwithoutfriendstohelphim。Wemustthereforeimpressupongoodmenthat，shouldtheybecomeinevitablyinvolvedinfriendshipswithmenofthiskind，theyoughtnottoconsiderthemselvesunderanyobligationtostandbyfriendswhoaredisloyaltotherepublic。Badmenmusthavethefearofpunishmentbeforetheireyes：apunishmentnotlesssevereforthosewhofollowthanforthosewholeadotherstocrime。WhowasmorefamousandpowerfulinGreecethanThemistocles？AttheheadofthearmyinthePersianwarhehadfreedGreece；heowedhisexiletopersonalenvy：buthedidnotsubmittothewrongdonehimbyhisungratefulcountryasheoughttohavedone。HeactedasCoriolanushadactedamongustwentyyearsbefore。Butnoonewasfoundtohelpthemintheirattacksupontheirfatherland。Bothofthemaccordinglycommittedsuicide。
Weconclude，then，notonlythatnosuchconfederationofevillydisposedmenmustbeallowedtoshelteritselfunderthepleaoffriendship，butthat，onthecontrary，itmustbevisitedwiththeseverestpunishment，lesttheideashouldprevailthatfidelitytoafriendjustifiesevenmakingwaruponone’scountry。AndthisisacasewhichIaminclinedtothink，consideringhowthingsarebeginningtogo，willsoonerorlaterarise。AndIcarequiteasmuchwhatthestateoftheconstitutionwillbeaftermydeathaswhatitisnow。
13。Letthis，then，belaiddownasthefirstlawoffriendship，that_weshouldaskfromfriends，anddoforfriends’，onlywhatisgood_。Butdonotletuswaittobeaskedeither：lettherebeeveraneagerreadiness，andanabsenceofhesitation。Letushavethecouragetogiveadvicewithcandour。Infriendship，lettheinfluenceoffriendswhogivegoodadvicebeparamount；andletthisinfluencebeusedtoenforceadvicenotonlyinplain—spokenterms，butsometimes，ifthecasedemandsit，withsharpness；andwhensoused，letitbeobeyed。
IgiveyoutheserulesbecauseIbelievethatsomewonderfulopinionsareentertainedbycertainpersonswhohave，Iamtold，areputationforwisdominGreece。Thereisnothingintheworld，bytheway，beyondthereachoftheirsophistry。Well，someofthemteachthatweshouldavoidveryclosefriendships，forfearthatonemanshouldhavetoenduretheanxietiesofseveral。Eachman，saythey，hasenoughandtospareonhisownhands；itistoobadtobeinvolvedinthecaresofotherpeople。Thewisestcourseistoholdthereinsoffriendshipaslooseaspossible；youcanthentightenorslackenthematyourwill。Forthefirstconditionofahappylifeisfreedomfromcare，whichnoone’smindcanenjoyifithastotravail，sotospeak，forothersbesidesitself。Anothersect，Iamtold，givesventtoopinionsstilllessgenerous。Ibrieflytouchedonthissubjectjustnow。Theyaffirmthatfriendshipsshouldbesoughtsolelyforthesakeoftheassistancetheygive，andnotatallfrommotivesoffeelingandaffection；andthatthereforejustinproportionasaman’spowerandmeansofsupportarelowest，heismosteagertogain。friendships：thenceitcomesthatweakwomenseekthesupportoffriendshipmorethanmen，thepoormorethantherich，theunfortunateratherthanthoseesteemedprosperous。
Whatnoblephilosophy!Youmightjustaswelltakethesunoutoftheskyasfriendshipfromlife；fortheimmortalgodshavegivenusnothingbetterormoredelightful。
Butletusexaminethetwodoctrines。Whatisthevalueofthis\"
freedomfromcare\"？Itisverytemptingatfirstsight，butinpracticeithasinmanycasestobeputononeside。Forthereisnobusinessandnocourseofactiondemandedfromusbyourhonourwhichyoucanconsistentlydecline，orlayasidewhenbegun，fromamerewishtoescapefromanxiety。Nay，ifwewishtoavoidanxietywemustavoidvirtueitself，whichnecessarilyinvolvessomeanxiousthoughtsinshowingitsloathingandabhorrenceforthequalitieswhichareoppositetoitself—askindnessforill—nature，self—controlforlicentiousness，courageforcowardice。Thusyoumaynoticethatitisthejustwhoaremostpainedatinjustice，thebraveatcowardlyactions，thetemperateatdepravity。Itisthencharacteristicofarightlyorderedmindtobepleasedatwhatisgoodandgrievedatthereverse。Seeingthenthatthewisearenotexemptfromtheheart—ache（whichmustbethecaseunlesswesupposeallhumannaturerootedoutoftheirhearts），whyshouldwebanishfriendshipfromourlives，forfearofbeinginvolvedbyitinsomeamountofdistress？Ifyoutakeawayemotion，whatdifferenceremainsIdon’tsaybetweenamanandabeast，butbetweenamanandastoneoralogofwood，oranythingelseofthatkind？
Neithershouldwegiveanyweighttothedoctrinethatvirtueissomethingrigidandunyieldingasiron。Inpointoffactitisinregardtofriendship，asinsomanyotherthings，sosuppleandsensitivethatitexpands，sotospeak，atafriend’sgoodfortune，contractsathismisfortunes。Weconcludethenthatmentalpainwhichwemustoftenencounteronafriend’saccountisnotofsufficientconsequencetobanishfriendshipfromourlife，anymorethanitistruethatthecardinalvirtuesaretobedispensedwithbecausetheyinvolvecertainanxietiesanddistresses。
14。Letmerepeatthen，\"theclearindicationofvirtue，towhichamindoflikecharacterisnaturallyattracted，isthebeginningoffriendship。\"Whenthatisthecasetheriseofaffectionisanecessity。Forwhatcanbemoreirrationalthantotakedelightinmanyobjectsincapableofresponse，suchasoffice，fame，splendidbuildings，andpersonaldecoration，andyettotakelittleornoneinasentientbeingendowedwithvirtue，whichhasthefacultyoflovingor，ifImayusetheexpression，lovingback？Fornothingisreallymoredelightfulthanareturnofaffection，andthemutualinterchangeofkindfeelingandgoodoffices。Andifweadd，aswemayfairlydo，thatnothingsopowerfullyattractsanddrawsonethingtoitselfaslikenessdoestofriendship，itwiltatoncebeadmittedtobetruethatthegoodlovethegoodandattachthemtothemselvesasthoughtheywereunitedbybloodandnature。Fornothingcanbemoreeager，orrathergreedy，forwhatislikeitselfthannature。So，mydearFanniusandScaevola，wemaylookuponthisasanestablishedfact，thatbetweengoodmenthereis，asitwereofnecessity，akindlyfeeling，whichisthesourceoffriendshipordainedbynature。Butthissamekindlinessaffectsthemanyalso。Forthatisnounsympatheticorselfishorexclusivevirtue，whichprotectsevenwholenationsandconsultstheirbestinterests。Andthatcertainlyitwouldnothavedonehaditdisdainedallaffectionforthecommonherd。