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us that they were twice consuls together； and colleagues in the
censorship。 Again； it is on record that Manius Curius and Tiberius
Coruncanius were on the most intimate terms with them and with
each other。 Now； we cannot even suspect that any one of these
men ever asked of his friend anything that militated against his
honour or his oath or the interests of the republic。 In the case of
such men as these there is no point in saying that one of them
would not have obtained such a request if he had made it； for they
were men of the most scrupulous piety； and the making of such a
request would involve a breach of religious obligation no less than
the granting it。 However； it is quite true that Gaius Carbo and
Gaius Cato did follow Tiberius Gracchus； and though his brother
Caius Gracchus did not do so at the time； he is now the most eager
of them all。
12。 We may then lay down this rule of friendship…neither ask nor
consent to do what is wrong。 For the plea 〃for friendship's sake〃 is
a discreditable one； and not to be admitted for a moment。 This
rule holds good for all wrong…doing； but more especially in such as
involves disloyalty to the republic。 For things have come to such a
point with us； my dear Fannius and Scaevola； that we are bound to
look somewhat far ahead to what is likely to happen to the
republic。 The constitution； as known to our ancestors； has already
swerved somewhat from the regular course and the lines marked
out for it。 Tiberius Gracchus made an attempt to obtain the power
of a king； or； I might rather say； enjoyed that power for a few
months。 Had the Roman people ever heard or seen the like before？
What the friends and connexions that followed him； even after his
death； have succeeded in doing in the case of Publius Scipio I
cannot describe without tears。 As for Carbo； thanks to the
punishment recently inflicted on Tiberius Gracchus； we have by
hook or by crook managed to hold out against his attacks。 But
what to expect of the tribuneship of Caius Gracchus I do not like
to forecast。 One thing leads to another； and once set going； the
downward course proceeds with ever…increasing velocity。 There is
the case of the ballot： what a blow was inflicted first by the lex
Gabinia； and two years afterwards by the lex Cassia！ I seem
already to see the people estranged from the Senate； and the most
important affairs at the mercy of the multitude。 For you may be
sure that more people will learn how to set such things in motion
than how to stop them。 What is the point of these remarks？ This：
no one ever makes any attempt of this sort without friends to help
him。 We must therefore impress upon good men that； should they
become inevitably involved in friendships with men of this kind；
they ought not to consider themselves under any obligation to
stand by friends who are disloyal to the republic。 Bad men must
have the fear of punishment before their eyes： a punishment not
less severe for those who follow than for those who lead others to
crime。 Who was more famous and powerful in Greece than
Themistocles？ At the head of the army in the Persian war he had
freed Greece； he owed his exile to personal envy： but he did not
submit to the wrong done him by his ungrateful country as he
ought to have done。 He acted as Coriolanus had acted among us
twenty years before。 But no one was found to help them in their
attacks upon their fatherland。 Both of them accordingly committed
suicide。
We conclude； then； not only that no such confederation of evilly
disposed men must be allowed to shelter itself under the plea of
friendship； but that； on the contrary； it must be visited with the
severest punishment； lest the idea should prevail that fidelity to a
friend justifies even making war upon one's country。 And this is a
case which I am inclined to think； considering how things are
beginning to go； will sooner or later arise。 And I care quite as
much what the state of the constitution will be after my death as
what it is now。
13。 Let this； then； be laid down as the first law of friendship； that
_we should ask from friends； and do for friends'； only what is
good_。 But do not let us wait to be asked either： let there be ever
an eager readiness； and an absence of hesitation。 Let us have the
courage to give advice with candour。 In friendship； let the
influence of friends who give good advice be paramount； and let
this influence be used to enforce advice not only in plain…spoken
terms； but sometimes； if the case demands it； with sharpness； and
when so used； let it be obeyed。
I give you these rules because I believe that some wonderful
opinions are entertained by certain persons who have； I am told； a
reputation for wisdom in Greece。 There is nothing in the world； by
the way； beyond the reach of their sophistry。 Well； some of them
teach that we should avoid very close friendships； for fear that one
man should have to endure the anxieties of several。 Each man； say
they； has enough and to spare on his own hands； it is too bad to be
involved in the cares of other people。 The wisest course is to hold
the reins of friendship as loose as possible； you can then tighten or
slacken them at your will。 For the first condition of a happy life is
freedom from care； which no one's mind can enjoy if it has to
travail； so to speak； for others besides itself。 Another sect； I am
told； gives vent to opinions still less generous。 I briefly touched on
this subject just now。 They affirm that friendships should be
sought solely for the sake of the assistance they give； and not at all
from motives of feeling and affection； and that therefore just in
proportion as a man's power and means of support are lowest； he is
most eager to gain。 friendships： thence it comes that weak women
seek the support of friendship more than men； the poor more than
the rich； the unfortunate rather than those esteemed prosperous。
What noble philosophy！ You might just as well take the sun out of
the sky as friendship from life； for the immortal gods have given
us nothing better or more delightful。
But let us examine the two doctrines。 What is the value of this 〃
freedom from care〃？ It is very tempting at first sight； but in
practice it has in many cases to be put on one side。 For there is no
business and no course of action demanded from us by our honour
which you can consistently decline； or lay aside when begun； from
a mere wish to escape from anxiety。 Nay； if we wish to avoid
anxiety we must avoid virtue itself； which necessarily involves
some anxious thoughts in showing its loathing and abhorrence for
the qualities which are opposite to itself…as kindness for ill…nature；
self…control for licentiousness； courage for cowardice。 Thus you
may notice that it is the just who are most pained at injustice； the
brave at cowardly actions； the temperate at depravity。 It is then
characteristic of a rightly ordered mind to be pleased at what is
good and grieved at the reverse。 Seeing then that the wise are not
exempt from the heart…ache （which must be the case unless we
suppose all human nature rooted out of their hearts）； why should
we banish friendship from our lives； for fear