Analysis Of Cicero's Definition Of Friendship

I chose to write about Cicero and his definition of friendship and its dissolution. In this work, Cicero explains how friends are a very important aspect of one's life and the friendship should be mutual on both sides. Cicero writes about his own experience with friendship. Cicero ponders the meaning of this friendship by using the relationship between Scipio Aemilianus and Laelius to expound his views. Laelius' speech comprises the most part and is instigated by the death of his best friend Scipio and he expresses how he could bear the loss, and explicates his grounds for bereavement. He enumerates what qualities make for good friends, explains what characteristics expose a bad friend, and provides examples from his personal life. Throughout …show more content…
Fannius compares Laelius’ wisdom to that of Cato. Scaevola says that he was telling people that Laelius missed this meeting due to sickness, not grief. Laelius confims his sickness and discusses wisdom and suggests that Cato was wiser than either himself or even Socrates. Laelius describes his feelings about the death of Scipio. Laelius is happy to have had Scipio’s friendship. Fannius and Scaevola ask Laelius to speak about friendship. Laulius defines friendship and says it can only exist between good men. He argues that friendship comes from human nature itself. He states that there is difficulty in maintaining a life-long friendship and it usually ends when a friend asks for something immoral. “So among the rules for friendship this ought to come first of all. Never ask your friends for anything that is not right and never do anything for them yourself unless it is right” (Cicero 200). Cicero is basically saying the famous Golden Rule, treat others the way you would want to be …show more content…
I'm a really nice person and put myself before others. And there are some people who do take advantage of my kindness. My feelings and being disrespected is a common feeling when I'm around these people. It all started with me splitting up with my girlfriend. She was not a huge person in my life that didn't care about my feelings nor did I feel she loved me or even respected me. After our breakup I took a hard look at how did I let this person into my life? Also looked at all the other people I've let into my life. I was shocked to discover there is surprising number of toxic people in my life. And I allowed all of this to happen! Most of these people aren't good for me. They drag me down, energetically in some shape or form. I honestly don't feel great around them. Within this past week I have removed four toxic people out of my life. As I'm getting older not all friends are alike and not all friends are there for your best interests. Some care about you but some care more about themselves than you. Sometimes the best thing you can to care for yourself is to remove these toxic people from your lives. Because you can get sucked into their toxic dramas or negative energies, it’s so hard to be positive when you come into contact with these people. They'll either agitate you or use you to prop themselves up. Do yourself a favor and let them go. You're happiness and sanity is the first

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