Vishaal Meduri
De Amicitia Then Scaevola has put out to us a sermon having been considered of Laelius about friendship from that man with himself and with another son-in-law, C. Fannius, after a few days after the death of Africanus. I commited the ideas of their disputes of memory, which I have put out in this book with my judgement; for as if I have lead in having speaking itself that just as from the present it was seeming to have face-to-face with the sermon. For When oftenwith myself
54) Some people place wealth first, others place forth goodness and good health, others power, others honors, many also place forth earthly delights. This end of beasts is certainly; moreover those more above falling and uncertain, having been placed not so much in our calculation sas in the rashness of fortune. Those who however place the highest good in virtue, those men do so indeed most correctly; but this virtue, itself, both gives birth to friendship and holds it together-without virtue, friendship is not able to exist under any agreements. Therefore among men, such a friendship holds such advantages as I can scarcely talk about. Chiefly, how is life able to be purposeful, as Ennius said, a life which doesn’t find peace in the mutual benevolence of a friend? What is sweeter than having (a friend) with whom you might dare to say anything just as you would dare to say to yourself. How could there be such enjoyments in prosperous situation unless you have (someone) who rejoices because of those things equally as much as you, yourself. To endure opposing things truly would be a diffeicult thing without someone who bears those things even more gravely than you. Finally, the other things which are sought out are opportune, each nearly for each thing; riches so that you might use (them); power so that you might be worshipped; honors, so that you might be praised; pleasures so that you might enjoy them; health so that you might lack grief and accomplish the tastes of the body; friendship holds together very many things. Wherever you turn yourself, it is standing before you; it is excluded in no place; it is never unseasonal, it is never a bother. Therefore we don’t use water, don’t use fire as they said, in as many places as we use in friendship.
67) Next the rest of the things which are sought out are opportunities each for nearly an individual purpose: riches, so that you may use it; power so that you might be worshipped; honors so that you might be preaised; physical delights, so that you might enjoy them; health so that you may lack from pain and perform the tasks of the body; friendship contains very many applications. To wherever you turn yourself it is presente; in no place is it excluded; never is it untimely, never is it annoying. Therefore, we don’t use fire or water in as many places as they say we use friendship. For, both friendship makes favorable situations better and adverse situations lighter after sharing communication. Since friendship not only contains a
