Hi readers. Think of your friends today, I say, and let them know you care about them. Time is short and friendships need nurturing, just like our own bodies do. There’s a man from ancient Rome who’s been teaching me lately about this phenomenon we call friendship: Cicero. Keep reading for a provocative quote from his work.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship—how important it is for a fulfilled life! I’m lucky to have friends, people near and far who are dear to my heart, who accept me for who I am, not who they think I should be. Some of my friendships are newer than others. The ones that began long ago have had time to mature and deepen. That’s one benefit of aging. A greeting card I got a few years ago on my birthday reminds me it takes a long time to grow an old friend.
I’ve been casting about for quotes and books on the topic. If you can, share something about it in the Comments section. Today I thought I’d share a powerful couple of paragraphs from a little book of 74 pages that contains an engaging dialogue: On Friendship by Marcus Tullius Cicero. (Translated by William Falconer. Initially publishing in 1923.)
Who was Cicero?
A citizen of ancient Rome (106–43 BCE), Cicero was influenced by the Stoics and Greeks, studied literature and philosophy (he was a liberal arts student!), and became a Roman politician and litigator who’s considered that country’s greatest orator. Ever.
Here’s a good overview of his life: Bing Videos. The narrator of the video introduces the story of Cicero by saying, “You know how one man’s voice tried to save a collapsing republic?”
From Cicero’s treatise “On Friendship”
Although the language in this quote is from another age, full of ways of speaking that seem odd or too formal to us, I think you can get the gist of this section. For me, the main point he makes is that it’s better to have true friends than ill-gotten power or outlandish riches. Duh!
“Good gods! Is there a man upon the face of the earth who would deliberately accept of all the wealth and all the affluence this world can bestow if offered to him upon the severe terms of his being unconnected with a single mortal whom he could love or by whom he should be beloved? This would be to lead the wretched life of a detested tyrant, who, amidst perpetual suspicions and alarms, passes his miserable days a stranger to every tender sentiment, and utterly precluded from the heartfelt satisfactions of friendship for who can love a man he fears? or how can affection dwell with a consciousness of being feared? He may be flattered, indeed, by his followers with the specious semblance of personal attachment, but whenever he falls (and many instances there are of such a reverse of fortune) it will appear how totally destitute he stood of every genuine friend.
Accordingly, it is reported that Tarquin used to say in his exile [he gained the Roman throne by murdering his wife and brother], that “his misfortunes had taught him to discern his real from his pretended friends, as it was no longer in his power to make either of them any returns.” I should much wonder, however, if, with a temper so insolent and ferocious, he ever had a sincere friend.
—END—
Thanks for reading!
Your writer on the wing,
Charlene
Nylda Dieppa
Your sweet and tender temperament explains your wealth of friends.
Charlene
That’s so kind of you, Nylda. Thank you.
Steve Muratore
I’m thankful for your friendship, Charlene!
Charlene L. Edge
And I’m thankful for yours, Steve!