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undermining the Republic bear so many striking resemblances to
those which threaten the civic and national life of America to…day
that the interest of the period is by no means merely historical。
As a philosopher； Cicero's most important function was to make
his countrymen familiar with the main schools of Greek thought。
Much of this writing is thus of secondary interest to us in
comparison with his originals； but in the fields of religious theory
and of the application of philosophy to life he made important
first…hand contributions。 From these works have been selected the
two treatises； on Old Age and on Friendship； which have proved of
most permanent and widespread interest to posterity； and which
give a clear impression of the way in which a high…minded Roman
thought about some of the main problems' of human life。
On Friendship
by Marcus Tullius Cicero translated by E。 S。 Shuckburgh
THE augur Quintus Mucius Scaevola used to recount a number of
stories about his father…in…law Galus Laelius； accurately
remembered and charmingly told； and whenever he talked about
him always gave him the title of 〃the wise〃 without any hesitation。
I had been introduced by my father to Scaevola as soon as I had
assumed the _toga virilis_； and I took advantage of the
introduction never to quit the venerable man's side as long as I was
able to stay and he was spared to us。 The consequence was that I
committed to memory many disquisitions of his； as well as many
short pointed apophthegms； and； in short； took as much advantage
of his wisdom as I could。 When he died； I attached myself to
Scaevola the Pontifex； whom I may venture to call quite the most
distinguished of our countrymen for ability and uprightness。 But
of this latter I shall take other occasions to speak。 To return to
Scaevola the augur。 Among many other occasions I particularly
remember one。 He was sitting on a semicircular garden…bench； as
was his custom； when I and a very few intimate friends were there；
and he chanced to turn the conversation upon a subject which
about that time was in many people's mouths。 You must
remember； Atticus； for you were very intimate with Publius
Sulpicius； what expressions of astonishment； or even indignation；
were called forth by his mortal quarrel； as tribune； with the consul
Quintus Pompeius； with whom he had formerly lived on terms of
the closest intimacy and affection。 Well； on this occasion；
happening to mention this particular circumstance； Scaevola
detailed to us a discourse of Laelius on friendship delivered to
himself and Laelius's other son…in…law Galus Fannius； son of
Marcus Fannius； a few days after the death of Africanus。 The
points of that discussion I committed to memory； and have
arranged them in this book at my own discretion。 For I have
brought the speakers； as it were； personally on to my stage to
prevent the constant 〃said I〃 and 〃said he〃 of a narrative； and to
give the discourse the air of being orally delivered in our hearing。
You have often urged me to write something on Friendship； and I
quite acknowledged that the subject seemed one worth everybody's
investigation； and specially suited to the close intimacy that has
existed between you and me。 Accordingly I was quite ready to
benefit the public at your request。
As to the _dramatis personae_。 In the treatise on Old Age； which I
dedicated to you； I introduced Cato as chief speaker。 No one； I
thought； could with greater propriety speak on old age than one
who had been an old man longer than any one else； and had been
exceptionally vigorous in his old age。 Similarly； having learnt from
tradition that of all friendships that between Gaius Laelius and
Publius Scipio was the most remarkable； I thought Laelius was just
the person to support the chief part in a discussion on friendship
which Scaevola remembered him to have actually taken。
Moreover； a discussion of this sort gains somehow in weight from
the authority of men of ancient days； especially if they happen to
have been distinguished。 So it comes about that in reading over
what I have myself written I have a feeling at times that it is
actually Cato that is speaking； not I。
Finally； as I sent the former essay to you as a gift from one old
man to another； so I have dedicated this _On Friendship_ as a most
affectionate friend to his friend。 In the former Cato spoke； who
was the oldest and wisest man of his day； in this Laelius speaks on
friendship…Laelius； who was at once a wise man （that was the title
given him） and eminent for his famous friendship。 Please forget
me for a while； imagine Laelius to be speaking。
Gaius Fannius and Quintus Mucius come to call on their
father…in…law after the death of Africanus。 They start the subject；
Laelius answers them。 And the whole essay on friendship is his。 In
reading it you will recognise a picture of yourself。
2。 _Fannius_。 You are quite right； Laelius！ there never was a better
or more illustrious character than Africanus。 But you should
consider that at the present moment all eyes are on you。 Everybody
calls you 〃the wise〃 _par excellence_； and thinks you so。 The same
mark of respect was lately paid Cato； and we know that in the last
generation Lucius Atilius was called 〃the wise。〃 But in both cases
the word was applied with a certain difference。 Atilius was so
called from his reputation as a jurist； Cato got the name as a kind
of honorary title and in extreme old age because of his varied
experience of affairs； and his reputation for foresight and firmness；
and the sagacity of the opinions which he delivered in senate and
forum。 You； however； are regarded as wise in a somewhat
different sense not alone on account of natural ability and
character； but also from your industry and learning； and not in the
sense in which the vulgar； but that in which scholars； give that
title。 In this sense we do not read of any one being called wise in
Greece except one man at Athens； and he； to be sure； had been
declared by the oracle of Apollo also to be 〃the supremely wise
man。〃 For those who commonly go by the name of the Seven
Sages are not admitted into the category of the wise by fastidious
critics。 Your wisdom people believe to consist in this； that you
look upon yourself as self…sufficing and regard the changes and
chances of mortal life as powerless to affect your virtue。
Accordingly they are always asking me； and doubtless also our
Scaevola here； how you bear the death of Africanus。 This curiosity
has been the more excited from the fact that on the Nones of this
month； when we augurs met as usual in the suburban villa of
Decimus Brutus for consultation； you were not present； though it
had always been your habit to keep that appointment and perform
that duty with the utmost punctuality。
_Scaevola_。 Yes； indeed； Laelius； I am often asked the question
mentioned by Fannius。 But I answer in accordance with what I
have observed： I say that you bear in a reasonable manner the grief
which you have sustained in the death of one who was at once a
man of the most illustrious character and a very dear friend。 That
of course you could not but be affected