Again，thebelieversinthe"interest"theoryappeartometodestroythemostattractivelinkinthechainoffriendship。Foritisnotsomuchwhatonegetsbyafriendthatgivesonepleasure，asthewarmthofhisfeeling；andweonlycareforafriend’sserviceifithasbeenpromptedbyaffection。Andsofarfromitsbeingtruethatlackofmeansisamotiveforseekingfriendship，itisusuallythosewhobeingmostrichlyendowedwithwealthandmeans，andaboveallwithvirtue（which，afterall，isaman’sbestsupport），areleastinneedofanother，thataremostopenhandedandbeneficent。
IndeedIaminclinedtothinkthatfriendsoughtattimestobeinwantofsomething。Forinstance，whatscopewouldmyaffectionshavehadifScipiohadneverwantedmyadviceorco—operationathomeorabroad？Itisnotfriendship，then，thatfollowsmaterialadvantage，butmaterialadvantagefriendship。
15。Wemustnotthereforelistentothesesuperfinegentlemenwhentheytalkoffriendship，whichtheyknowneitherintheorynorinpractice。Forwho，inheaven’sname，wouldchoosealifeofthegreatestwealthandabundanceonconditionofneitherlovingorbeingbelovedbyanycreature？Thatisthesortoflifetyrantsendure。They，ofcourse，cancountonnofidelity，noaffection，nosecurityforthegoodwillofanyone。Forthemallissuspicionandanxiety；forthemthereisnopossibilityoffriendship。Whocanloveonewhomhefears，orbywhomheknowsthatheisfeared？
Yetsuchmenhaveashowoffriendshipofferedthem，butitisonlyafair—weathershow。Ifiteverhappenthattheyfall，asitgenerallydoes，theywillatonceunderstandhowfriendlesstheyare。SotheysayTarquinobservedinhisexilethatheneverknewwhichofhisfriendswererealandwhichsham，untilhehadceasedtobeabletorepayeither。Thoughwhatsurprisesmeisthatamanofhisproudandoverbearingcharactershouldhaveafriendatall。
Andasitwashischaracterthatpreventedhishavinggenuinefriends，soitoftenhappensinthecaseofmenofunusuallygreatmeans—theirverywealthforbidsfaithfulfriendships。FornotonlyisFortuneblindherself；butshegenerallymakesthoseblindalsowhoenjoyherfavours。Theyarecarried，sotospeak，beyondthemselveswithself—conceitandself—will；norcananythingbemoreperfectlyintolerablethanasuccessfulfool。Youmayoftenseeit。Menwhobeforehadpleasantmannersenoughundergoacompletechangeonattainingpowerofoffice。Theydespisetheiroldfriends：devotethemselvestonew。
Now，cananythingbemorefoolishthanthatmenwhohavealltheopportunitieswhichprosperity，wealth，andgreatmeanscanbestow，shouldsecureallelsewhichmonevcanbuy—horses，servants，splendidupholstering，andcostlyplate—butdonotsecurefriends，whoare，ifImayusetheexpression，themostvaluableandbeautifulfurnitureoflife？Andyet，whentheyacquiretheformer，theyknownotwhowillenjoythem，norforwhomtheymaybetakingallthistrouble；fortheywilloneandalleventuallybelongtothestrongest：whileeachmanhasastableandinalienableownershipinhisfriendships。Andevenifthosepossessions，whichare，inamanner，thegiftsoffortune，doprovepermanent，lifecanneverbeanythingbutjoylesswhichiswithouttheconsolationsandcompanionshipoffriends。
16。Toturntoanotherbranchofoursubject。Wemustnowendeavourtoascertainwhatlimitsaretobeobservedinfriendship—whatistheboundary—line，sotospeak，beyondwhichouraffectionisnottogo。OnthispointInoticethreeopinions，withnoneofwhichIagree。Oneis_thatweshouldloveourfriendjustasmuchasweloveourselves，andnomore；another，thatouraffectiontothemshouldexactlycorrespondandequaltheirstous；
athird，thatamanshouldbevaluedatexactlythesamerateashevalueshimself_。TonotoneoftheseopinionsdoIassent。Thefirst，whichholdsthatourregardforourselvesistobethemeasureofourregardforourfriend，isnottrue；forhowmanythingstherearewhichwewouldneverhavedoneforourownsakes，butdoforthesakeofafriend!Wesubmittomakerequestsfromunworthypeople，todescendeventosupplication；tobesharperininvective，moreviolentinattack。Suchactionsarenutcreditableinourowninterests，buthighlysointhoseofourfriends。Therearemanyadvantagestoowhichmenofuprightcharactervoluntarilyforego，orofwhichhtheyarecontenttobedeprived，thattheirfriendsmayenjoythemratherthanthemselves。
Theseconddoctrineisthatwhichlimitsfriendshiptoanexactequalityinmutualgoodofficesandgoodfeelings。Butsuchaviewreducesfriendshiptoaquestionoffiguresinaspiritfartoonarrowandilliberal，asthoughtheobjectweretohaveanexactbalanceinadebtorandcreditoraccount。Truefriendshipappearstometobesomethingricherandmoregenerousthanthatcomesto；andnottobesonarrowlyonitsguardagainstgivingmorethanitreceives。Insuchamatterwemustnotbealwaysafraidofsomethingbeingwastedorrunningoverinourmeasure，orofmorethanisjustlyduebeingdevotedtoourfriendship。
Butthelastlimitproposedistheworst，namely，thatafriend’sestimateofhimselfistobethemeasureofourestimateofhim。Itoftenhappensthatamanhastoohumbleanideaofhimself，ortakestoodespairingaviewofhischanceofbetteringhisfortune。Insuchacaseafriendoughtnottotaketheviewofhimwhichhetakesofhimself。Ratherheshoulddoallhecantoraisehisdroopingspirits，andleadhimtomorecbeerfulhopesandthoughts。
Wemustthenfindsomeotherlimit。ButImustfirstmentionthesentimentwhichusedtocallforthScipio’sseverestcriticism。Heoftensaidthatnooneevergaveutterancetoanythingmorediametricallyopposedtothespiritoffriendshipthantheauthorofthedictum，"Youshouldloveyourfriendwiththeconsciousnessthatyoumayonedayhatehim。"HecouldnotbeinducedtobelievethatitwasrightfullyattributedtoBias，whowascountedasoneoftheSevenSages。Itwasthesentimentofsomepersonwithsinistermotivesorselfishambition，orwhoregardedeverythingasitaffectedhisownsupremacy。Howcanamanbefriendswithanother，ifhethinksitpossiblethatbemaybehisenemy？Why，itwillfollowthathemustwishanddesirehisfriendtocommitasmanymistakesaspossible，thathemayhaveallthemorehandlesagainsthim；and，conversely，thathemustbeannoyed，irritated，andjealousattherightactionsorgoodfortuneofhisfriends。Thismaxim，then，letitbewhoseitwill，istheutterdestructionoffriendship。Thetrueruleistotakesuchcareintheselectionofourfriendsasnevertoenteruponafriendshipwithamanwhomwecouldunderanycircumstancescometohate。Andevenifweareunluckyinourchoice，wemustputupwithit—accordingtoScipio—inpreferencetomakingcalculationsastoafuturebreach。
17。Thereallimittobeobservedinfriendshipisthis：thecharactersoftwofriendsmustbestainless。Theremustbecompleteharmonyofinterests，purpose，andaims，withoutexception。Thenifthecasearisesofafriend’swish（notstrictlyrightinitself）callingforsupportinamatterinvolvmghislifeorreputation，wemustmakesomeconcessionfromthestraightpath—oncondition，thatistosay，thatextremedisgraceisnottheconsequence。Somethingmustbeconcededtofriendship。Andyetwemustnotbeentirelycarelessofourreputation，norregardthegoodopinionofourfellow—citizensasaweaponwhichwecanaffordtodespiseinconductingthebusinessofourlife，howeverloweringitmaybetotoutforitbyflatteryandsmoothwords。Wemustbynomeansabjurevirtue，whichsecuresusaffection。
ButtoreturnagaintoScipio，thesoleauthorofthediscourseonfriendship。Heusedtocomplainthattherewasnothingonwhichmenbestowedsolittlepains：thateveryonecouldtellexactlyhowmanygoatsorsheephehad，butnothowmanyfriends；andwhiletheytookpainsinprocuringtheformer，theywereutterlycarelessinselectingfriends，andpossessednoparticularmarks，sotospeak，ortokensbywhichtheymightjudgeoftheirsuitabilityforfriendship。Nowthequalitiesweoughttolookoutforinmakingourselectionarefirmness，stability，constancy。Thereisaplentifullackofmensoendowed，anditisdifficulttoformajudgmentwithouttesting。Nowthistestingcanonlybemadeduringtheactualexistenceofthefriend—ship；forfriendshipsooftenprecedestheformationofajudgment，andmakesaprevioustestimpossible。
Ifweareprudentthen，weshallreininourimpulsetoaffectionaswedochariothorses。Wemakeapreliminarytrialofhorses。Soweshouldoffriendship；andshouldtestourfriends’charactersbyakindoftentativefriendship。Itmayoftenhappenthattheuntrustworthinessofcertainmeniscompletelydisplayedinasmallmoneymatter；otherswhoareproofagainstasmallsumaredetectedifitbelarge。Butevenifsomearefoundwhothinkitmeantoprefermoneytofriendship，whereshallwelookforthosewhoputfriendshipbeforeoffice，civilormilitarypromotions，andpoliticalpower，andwho，whenthechoiceliesbetweenthesethingsontheonesideandtheclaimsoffriendshipontheother，donotgiveastrongpreferencetotheformer？Itisnotinhumannaturetobeindifferenttopoliticalpower；andifthepricemenhavetopayforitisthesacrificeoffriendship，theythinktheirtreasonwillbethrownintotheshadebythemagnitudeofthereward。Thisiswhytruefriendshipisverydifficulttofindamongthosewhoengageinpoliticsandthecontestforoffice。Wherecanyoufindthemantopreferhisfriend’sadvancementtohisown？
Andtosaynothingofthat，thinkhowgrievousandalmostintolerableitistomostmentosharepoliticaldisaster。Youwillscarcelyfindanyonewhocanbringhimselftodothat。AndthoughwhatEnniussaysisquitetrue，—"thehourofneedshewsthefriendindeed，"—yetitisinthesetwowaysthatmostpeoplebetraytheiruntrustworthinessandinconstancy，bylookingdownonfriendswhentheyarethemselvesprosperous，ordesertingthemintheirdistress。Aman，then，whohasshewnafirm，unshaken，andunvaryingfriendshipinboththesecontingencieswemustreckonasoneofaclasstherarestintheworld，andallbutsuperhuman。
18。Now，whatisthequalitytolookoutforasawarrantforthestabilityandpermanenceoffriendship？Itisloyalty。Nothingthatlacksthiscanbestable。Weshouldalsoinmakingourselectionlookoutforsimplicity，asocialdisposition，andasympatheticnature，movedbywhatmovesus。Theseallcontributetomaintainloyalty。Youcannevertrustacharacterwhichisintricateandtortuous。Nor，indeed，isitpossibleforonetobetrustworthyandfirmwhoisunsympatheticbynatureandunmovedbywhataffectsourselves。Wemayadd，thathemustneithertakepleasureinbringingaccusationsagainstushimself，norbelievethemwhentheyarebrought。AllthesecontributetoformthatconstancywhichIhavebeenendeavouringtodescribe。Andtheresultis，whatIstartedbysaying，thatfriendshipisonlypossiblebetweengoodmen。
Nowtherearetwocharacteristicfeaturesinhistreatmentofhisfriendsthatagood（whichmayberegardedasequivalenttoawise）manwillalwaysdisplay。First，hewillbeentirelywithoutanymake—believeorpretenceoffeeling；fortheopendisplayevenofdislikeismorebecommgtoaningenuouscharacterthanastudiedconcealmentofsentiment。Secondly，hewillnotonlyrejectallaccusationsbroughtagainsthisfriendbyanother，buthewillnotbesuspicioushimselfeither，norbealwaysthinkingthathisfriendhasactedimproperly。Besidesthis，thereshouldbeacertainpleasantnessinwordandmannerwhichaddsnolittleflavourtofriendship。Agloomytemperandunvaryinggravitymaybeveryimpressive；butfriendshipshouldbealittlelessunbending，moreindulgentandgracious，andmoreinclinedtoallkindsofgood—fellowshipandgood—nature。
19。Butherearisesaquestionofsomelittledifficulty。Arethereanyoccasionsonwhich，assumingtheirworthiness，weshouldprefernewtooldfriends，justaswepreferyoungtoagedhorses？
Theansweradmitsofnodoubtwhatever。Forthereshouldbenosatietyinfriendship，asthereisinotherthings。Theolderthesweeter，asinwinesthatkeepwell。Andtheproverbisatrueone，"Youmusteatmanyapeckofsaltwithamantobethoroughfriendswithhim。"Novelty，indeed，hasitsadvantage，whichwemustnotdespise。Thereisalwayshopeoffruit，asthereisinhealthybladesofcorn。Butagetoomusthaveitsproperposition；
and，infact，theinfluenceoftimeandhabitisverygreat。TorecurtotheillustrationofthehorsewhichIhavejustnowused。Everyonelikes_ceterisparibus_tousethehorsetowhichhehasbeenaccustomed，ratherthanonethatisuntriedandnew。Anditisnotonlyinthecaseofalivingthingthatthisruleholdsgood，butininanimatethingsalso；forwelikeplaceswherewehavelivedthelongest，eventhoughtheyaremountainousandcoveredwithforest。Buthereisanothergoldenruleinfriendship：_putyourselfonalevelwithyourfriend_。Foritoftenhappensthattherearecertainsuperiorities，asforexampleScipio’sinwhatImaycallourset。NowheneverassumedanyairsofsuperiorityoverPhilus，orRupilius，orMummius，oroverfriendsofalowerrankstilt。Forinstance，healwaysshewedadeferencetohisbrotherQuintusMaximusbecausehewashissenior，who，thoughamannodoubtofeminentcharacter，wasbynomeanshisequal。Heusedalsotowishthatallhisfriendsshouldbethebetterforhissupport。Thisisanexampleweshouldallfollow。Ifanyofushaveanyadvantageinpersonalcharacter，intellect，orfortune，weshouldbereadytomakeourfriendssharersandpartnersinitwithourselves。
Forinstance，iftheirparentsareinhumblecircumstances，iftheirrelationsarepowerfulneitherinintellectnormeans，weshouldsupplytheirdeficienciesandpromotetheirrankanddignity。Youknowthelegendsofchildrenbroughtupasservantsinignoranceoftheirparentageandfamily。Whentheyarerecognizedanddiscoveredtobethesonsofgodsorkings，theystillretaintheiraffectionfortheshepherdswhomtheyhaveformanyyearslookeduponastheirparents。Muchmoreoughtthistobesointhecaseofrealandundoubtedparents。Fortheadvantagesofgeniusandvirtue，andinshort，ofeverykindofsuperiority，areneverrealizedtotheirfullestextentuntiltheyarebestoweduponournearestanddearest。
20。Buttheconversemustalsobeobserved。Forinfriendshipandrelationship，justasthosewhopossessanysuperioritymustputthemselvesonanequalfootingwiththosewhoarelessfortunate，sotheselattermustnotbeannoyedatbeingsurpassedingenius，fortune，orrank。Butmostpeopleofthatsortareforevereithergrumblingatsomething，orharpingontheirclaims；andespeciallyiftheyconsiderthattheyhaveservicesoftheirowntoallegeinvolvingzealandfriendshipandsometroubletothemselves。
Peoplewhoarealwaysbringinguptheirservicesareanuisance。
Therecipientoughttorememberthem；theperformershouldnevermentionthem。Inthecaseoffriends，then，asthesuperiorareboundtodescend，soaretheyboundinacertainsensetoraisethosebelowthem。Fortherearepeoplewhomaketheirfriendshipdisagreeablebyimaginingthemselvesundervalued。Thisgenerallyhappensonlytothosewhothinkthattheydeservetobeso；andtheyoughttobeshewnbydeedsaswellasbywordsthegroundlessnessoftheiropinion。Nowthemeasureofyourbenefitsshouldheinthefirstplaceyourownpowertobestow，andinthesecondplacethecapacitytobearthemonthepartofhimonwhomyouarebestowingaffectionandhelp。For，howevergreatyourpersonalprestigemaybe，youcannotraiseallyourfriendstothehighestofficesoftheState。Forinstance，ScipiowasabletomakePubliusRupiliusconsul，butnothisbrotherLucius。Butgrantingthatyoucangiveanyoneanythingyouchoose，youmusthaveacarethatitdoesnotprovetobebeyondhispowers。Asageneralrule，wemustwaittomakeupourmindaboutfriendshipstillmen’scharactersandyearshavearrivedattheirfullstrengthanddevelopment。Peoplemustnot，forinstance，regardasfastfriendsallwhomintheiryouthfulenthusiasmforhuntingorfootballtheylikedforhavingthesametastes。Bythatrule，ifitwereamerequestionoftime，noonewouldhavesuchclaimsonouraffectionsasnursesandslave—tutors。Notthattheyaretobeneglected，buttheystandonadifferentground。Itisonlythesematurefriendshipsthatcanbepermanent。Fordifferenceofcharacterleadstodifferenceofaims，andtheresultofsuchdiversityistoestrangefriends。Thesolereason，forinstance，whichpreventsgoodmenfrommakingfriendswithbad，orbadwithgood，isthatthedivergenceoftheircharactersandaimsisthegreatestpossible。
Anothergoodruleinfriendshipisthis：donotletanexcessiveaffectionhinderthehighestinterestsofyourfriends。Thisveryoftenhappens。Iwillgoagaintotheregionoffableforaninstance。NeoptolemuscouldneverhavetakenTroyifhehadbeenwillingtolistentoLycomedes，whohadbroughthimup，andwithmanytearstriedtopreventhisgoingthere。Again，itoftenhappensthatimportantbusinessmakesitnecessarytopartfromfriends：themanwhotriestobaulkit，becausehethinksthathecannotenduretheseparation，isofaweakandeffeminatenature，andonthatveryaccountmakesbutapoorfriend。Thereare，ofcourse，limitstowhatyououghttoexpectfromafriendandtowhatyoushouldallowhimtodemandofyou。Andtheseyoumusttakeintocalculationineverycase。
21。Again，thereissuchadisaster，sotospeak，ashavingtobreakofffriendship。Andsometimesitisonewecannotavoid。Foratthispointthestreamofourdiscourseisleavingtheintimaciesofthewiseandtouchingonthefriendshipofordinarypeople。Itwillhappenattimesthatanoutbreakofviciousconductaffectseitheraman’sfriendsthemselvesorstrangers，yetthediscreditfallsonthefriends。Insuchcasesfriendshipsshouldbeallowedtodieoutgraduallybyanintermissionofintercourse。Theyshould，asIhavebeentoldthatCatousedtosay，ratherbeunstitchedthantoniintwain；unless，indeed，theinjuriousconductbeofsoviolentandoutrageousanatureastomakeaninstantbreachandseparationtheonlypossiblecourseconsistentwithhonourandrectitude。
Again，ifachangeincharacterandaimtakesplace，asoftenhappens，orifpartypoliticsproducesanalienationoffeeling（Iamnowspeaking，asIsaidashorttimeago，ofordinaryfriendships，notofthoseofthewise），weshallhavetobeonourguardagainstappearingtoembarkuponactiveenmitywhileweonlymeantoresignafriendship。Fortherecanbenothingmorediscreditablethantobeatopenwarwithamanwithwhomyouhavebeenintimate。Scipio，asyouareaware，hadabandonedhisfriendshipforQuintusPompeiusonmyaccount；andagain，fromdifferencesofopinioninpolitics，hebecameestrangedfrommycolleagueMetellus。Inbothcasesheactedwithdignityandmoderation，shewingthathewasoffendedindeed，butwithoutTancour。
Ourfirstobject，then，shouldbetopreventabreach；oursecond，tosecurethat，ifitdoesoccur，ourfriendshipshouldseemtohavediedanaturalratherthanaviolentdeath。Next，weshouldtakecarethatfriendshipisnotconvertedintoactivehostility，fromwhichflowpersonalquarrels，abusivelanguage，andangryrecriminations。Theselast，however，providedthattheydonotpassallreasonablelimitsofforbearance，weoughttoputupwith，and，incomplimenttoanoldfriendship，allowthepartythatinflictstheinjury，nottheonethatsubmitstoit，tobeinthewrong。Generallyspeaking，thereisbutonewayofsecuringandprovidingoneselfagainstfaultsandinconveniencesofthissort—nottobetoohastyinbestowingouraffection，andnottobestowitatallonunworthyobjects。
Now，by"worthyoffriendship"Imeanthosewhohaveinthemselvesthequalitieswhichattractaffection。Thissortofmanisrare；andindeedallexcellentthingsarerare；andnothingintheworldissohardtofindasathingentirelyandcompletelyperfectofitskind。Butmostpeoplenotonlyrecognizenothingasgoodinourlifeunlessitisprofitable，butlookuponfriendsassomuchstock，caringmostforthosebywhomtheyhopetomakemostprofit。Accordinglytheyneverpossessthatmostbeautifulandmostspontaneousfriendshipwhichmustbesoughtsolelyforitselfwithoutanyulteriorobject。Theyfailalsotolearnfromtheirownfeelingsthenatureandthestrengthoffriendship。Foreveryoneloveshimself，notforanyrewardwhichsuchlovemaybring，butbecauseheisdeartohimselfindependentlyofanythingelse。Butunlessthisfeelingistransferredtoanother，whatarealfriendiswillneverberevealed；forheis，asitwere，asecondself。Butifwefindthesetwoinstinctsshewingthemselvesinanimals，—
whetheroftheairortheseaortheland，whetherwildortame，—first，aloveofself，whichinfactisbornineverythingthatlivesalike；and，secondly，aneagernesstofiudandattachthemselvestoothercreaturesoftheirownkind；andifthisnaturalactionisaccompaniedbydesireandbysomethingresemblinghumanlove，howmuchmoremustthisbethecaseinmanbythelawofhisnature？Formannotonlyloveshimself，butseeksanotherwhosespirithemaysoblendwithhisownasalmosttomakeonebeingoftwo。
22。Butmostpeopleunreasonably，nottospeakofmodesty，wantsuchafriendastheyareunabletobethemselves，andexpectfromtheirfriendswhattheydonotthemselvesgive。Thefaircourseisfirsttobegoodyourself，andthentolookoutforanotheroflikecharacter。Itisbetweensuchthatthestabilityinfriendshipofwhichwehavebeentalkingcanbesecured；when，thatistosay，menwhoareunitedbyaffectionlearn，firstofall，torulethosepassionswhichenslaveothers，andinthenextplacetotakedelightinfairandequitableconduct，tobeareachother’sburdens，nevertoaskeachotherforanythinginconsistentwithvirtueandrectitude，andnotonlytoserveandlovebutalsotorespecteachother。Isay"respect"；forifrespectisgone，friendshiphaslostitsbrightestjewel。Andthisshowsthemistakeofthosewhoimaginethatfriendshipgivesaprivilegetolicentiousnessandsin。Naturehasgivenusfriendshipasthehandmaidofvirtue，notasapartneringuilt：totheendthatvirtue，beingpowerlesswhenisolatedtoreachthehighestobjects，mightsucceedindoingsoinunionandpartnershipwithanother。Thosewhoenjoyinthepresent，orhaveenjoyedinthepast，oraredestinedtoenjoyinthefuturesuchapartnershipasthis，mustbeconsideredtohavesecuredthemostexcellentandauspiciouscombinationforONFRIENDSHIP
reachingnature’shighestgood。Thisisthepartnership，Isay，whichcombinesmoralrectitude，fame，peaceofmind，serenity：allthatmenthinkdesirablebecausewiththemlifeishappy，butwithoutthemcannotbeso。Thisbeingourbestandhighestobject，wemust，ifwedesiretoattainit，devoteourselvestovirtue；forwithoutvirtuewecanobtainneitherfriendshipnoranythingelsedesirable。Infact，ifvirtuebeneglected，thosewhoimaginethemselvestopossessfriendswillfindouttheirerrorassoonassomegravedisasterforcesthemtomaketrialofthem。Wherefore，Imustagainandagainrepeat，youmustsatisfyyourjudgmentbeforeengagingyouraffections：notlovefirstandjudgeafterwards。Wesufferfromcarelessnessinmanyofourundertakings：innonemorethaninselectingandcultivatingourfriends。Weputthecartbeforethehorse，andshutthestabledoorwhenthesteedisstolen，indefianceoftheoldproverb。For，havingmutuallyinvolvedourselvesinalong—standingintimacyorbyactualobligations，allonasuddensomecauseofoffencearisesandwebreakoffourfriendshipsinfullcareer。
23。
Itisthisthatmakessuchcarelessnessinamatterofsupremeimportanceallthemoreworthyofblame。Isay"supremeimportance，"becausefriendshipistheonethingabouttheutilityofwhicheverybodywithoneaccordisagreed。Thatisnotthecaseinregardeventovirtueitself；formanypeoplespeakslightinglyofvirtueasthoughitweremerepuffingandself—glorification。Norisitthecasewithriches。Manylookdownonriches，beingcontentwithalittleandtakingpleasureinpoorfareanddress，Andastothepoliticalofficesforwhichsomehaveaburningdesire—howmanyentertainsuchacontemptforthemastothinknothingintheworldmoreemptyandtrivial!
Andsoonwiththerest；thingsdesirableintheeyesofsomeareregardedbyverymanyasworthless。Butoffriendshipallthinkaliketoaman，whetherthosehavedevotedthemselvestopolitics，orthosewhodelightinscienceandphilosophy，orthosewhofollowaprivatewayoflifeandcarefornothingbuttheirownbusiness，orthoselastlywhohavegiventhemselvesbodyandsoultosensuality—theyallthink，Isay，thatwithoutfriendshiplifeisnolife，iftheywantsomepartofit，atanyrate，tobenoble。Forfriendship，inonewayoranother，penetratesintothelivesofusall，andsuffersnocareertobeentirelyfreefromitsinfluence。
Thoughamanbeofsochurlishandunsociableanatureastoloatheandshunthecompanyofmankind，aswearetoldwasthecasewithacertainTimonatAthens，yetevenhecannotrefrainfromseekingsomeoneinwhosehearinghemaydisgorgethevenomofhisbittertemper。Weshouldseethismostclearly，ifitwerepossiblethatsomegodshouldcarryusawayfromthesehauntsofmen，andplaceussome—whereinperfectsolitude，andthenshouldsupplyusinabundancewitheverythingnecessarytoournature，andyettakefromusentirelytheopportunityoflookinguponahumanbeing。Whocouldsteelhimselftoenduresuchalife？Whowouldnotloseinhislonelinessthezestforallpleasures？Andindeedthisisthepointoftheobservationof，I
think，ArchytasofTarentum。Ihaveitthirdhand；menwhoweremyseniorstoldmethattheirseniorshadtoldthem。Itwasthis："Ifamancouldascendtoheavenandgetaclearviewofthenaturalorderoftheuniverse，andthebeautyoftheheavenlybodies，thatwonderfulspectaclewouldgivehimsmallpleasure，thoughnothingcouldbeconceivedmoredelightfulifhehadbuthadsomeonetowhomtotellwhathehadseen。"Sotrueitisthatnatureabhorsisolation，andeverleansuponsome—thingasastayandsupport；andthisisfoundinitsmostpleasingforminourclosestfriend。
24。
ButthoughNaturealsodeclaresbysomanyindicationswhatherwishandobjectanddesireis，weyetinamannerturnadeafearandwillnothearherwarnings。Theintercoursebetweenfriendsisvariedandcomplex，anditmustoftenhappenthatcausesofsuspicionandoffencearise，whichawisemanwillsometimesavoid，atothertimesremove，atotherstreatwithindulgence。Theonepossiblecauseofoffencethatmustbefacediswhentheinterestsofyourfriendandyourownsincerityareatstake。Forinstance，itoftenhappensthatfriendsneedremonstranceandevenreproof。Whentheseareadministeredinakindlyspirittheyoughttobetakeningoodpart。ButsomehoworotherthereistruthinwhatmyfriendTerencesaysinhis_Andria_：
Compliancegetsusfriends，plainspeakinghate。
Plainspeakingisacauseoftrouble，iftheresultofItisresentment，whichispoisonoffriendship；butcomplianceisreallythecauseofmuchmoretrouble，becausebyindulginghisfaultsitletsafriendplungeintoheadlongruin。Butthemanwhoismosttoblameishewhoresentsplainspeakingandallowsflatterytoegghimontohisruin。Onthispoint，then，fromfirsttolastthereisneedofdeliberationandcare。Ifweremonstrate，itshouldbewithoutbitterness；ifwereprove，thereshouldbenowordofinsult。Inthematterofcompliance（forIamgladtoadoptTerence’sword），thoughthereshouldbeeverycourtesy，yetthatbasekindwhichassistsamaninviceshouldbefarfromus，foritisunworthyofafree—bornman，tosaynothingofafriend。Itisonethingtolivewithatyrant，anotherwithafriend。Butifaman’searsaresoclosedtoplainspeakingthatbecannotheartohearthetruthfromafriend，wemaygivehim"pindespair。ThisremarkofCato’s，assomanyofhisdid，shewsgreatacuteness："Therearepeoplewhoowemoretobitterenemiesthantoapparentlypleasantfriends：theformeroftenspeakthetruth，thelatternever。"Besides，itisastrangeparadoxthattherecipientsofadviceshouldfeelnoannoyancewheretheyoughttofeelit，andyetfeelsomuchwheretheyoughtnot。Theyarenotatallvexedathavingcommittedafault，butveryangryatbeingreprovedforit。Onthecontrary，theyoughttobegrievedatthecrimeandgladofthecorrection。
25。Well，then，ifitistruethattogiveandreceiveadvice—theformerwithfreedomandyetwithoutbitterness，thelatterwithpatienceandwithoutirritation—ispeculiarlyappropriatetogenuinefriendship，itisnolesstruethattherecanbenothingmoreutterlysubversiveoffriendshipthanflattery，adulation，andbasecompliance。Iuseasmanytermsaspossibletobrandthisviceoflight—minded，untrustworthymen，whosesoleobjectinspeakingistopleasewith—outanyregardtotruth。Ineverythingfalsepretenceisbad。foritsuspendsandvitiatesourpowerofdiscerningthetruth。Buttonothingitissohostileastofriendship；foritdestroysthatfranknesswithoutwhichfriendshipisanemptyname。Fortheessenceoffriendshipbeingthattwomindsbecomeasone，howcanthatevertakeplaceifthemindofeachoftheseparatepartiestoitisnotsingleanduniform，butvariable，changeable，andcomplex？Cananythingbesopliable，sowavering，asthemindofamanwhoseattitudedependsnotonlyonanother’sfeelingandwish，butonhisverylooksandnods？
Ifonesays"No，"Ianswer"No"；if"Yes，"Ianswer"Yes。"
Infine，I’velaidthistaskuponmyselfToechoallthat’ssaid—
toquotemyoldfriendTerenceagain。ButheputsthesewordsintothemouthofaGnatho。Toadmitsuchamanintoone’sintimacyatallisasignoffolly。ButtherearemanypeoplelikeGnatho，anditiswhentheyaresuperioreitherinpositionorfortuneorreputationthattheirflatteriesbecomemischievous，theweightoftheirpositionmakingupforthelightnessoftheircharacter。Butifweonlytakereasonablecare，itisaseasytoseparateanddistinguishagenuinefromaspeciousfriendasanythingelsethatiscolouredandartificialfromwhatissincereandgenuine。Apublicassembly，thoughcomposedofmenofthesmallestpossibleculture，neverthelesswillseeclearlythedifferencebetweenameredemagogue（thatis，aflattereranduntrustworthycitizen）andamanofprinciple，standing，andsolidity。ItwasbythiskindofflatteringlanguagethatGaiusPapiriustheotherdayendeavouredtotickletheearsoftheassembledpeople，whenproposinghislawtomakethetribunesre—eligible。Ispokeagainstit。ButIwillleavethepersonalquestion。IpreferspeakingofScipio。Goodheavens!howimpressivehisspeechwas，whatamajestytherewasinit!Youwouldhavepronouncedhim，withouthesitation，tobenomerehenchmanoftheRomanpeople，buttheirleader。However，youwerethere，andmoreoverhavethespeechinyourhands。Theresultwasthatalawmeanttopleasethepeoplewasbythepeople’svotesrejected。Oncemoretorefertomyself，yourememberhowapparentlypopularwasthelawproposedbyGaiusLiciniusCrassus"abouttheelectiontotheCollegeofPriests"intheconsulshipofQuintusMaximus，Scipio’sbrother，andLuciusMancinus。Forthepoweroffillinguptheirownvacanciesonthepartofthecollegeswasbythisproposaltobetransferredtothepeople。Itwasthisman，bytheway，whobeganthepracticeoftwrningtowardstheforumwhenaddressingthepeople。Inspiteofthis，however，uponmyspeakingontheconservativeside，religiongainedaneasyvictoryoverhisplausiblespeech。Thistookplaceinmypraetorship，fiveyearsbeforeIwaselectedconsul，whichshowsthatthecausewassuccessfullymaintainedmorebythemeritsofthecasethanbytheprestigeofthehighestoffice。
26。Now，ifonastage，suchasapublicassemblyessentiallyis，wherethereistheamplestroomforfictionandhalf—truths，truthneverthelessprevailsifitbebutfairlylaidopenandbroughtintothelightofday，whatoughttohappeninthecaseoffriendship，whichrestsentirelyontruthfulness？Friendship，inwhich，unlessyoubothseeandshowanopenbreast，touseacommonexpression，youcanneithertrustnorbecertainofanything—no，notevenofmutualaffection，sinceyoucannotbesureofitssincerity。
However，thisflattery，injuriousasitis，canhurtnoonebutthemanwhotakesitinandlikesit。Anditfollowsthatthemantoopenhisearswidesttoflatterersishewhofirstflattershimselfandisfondestofhimself。IgrantyouthatVirtuenaturallylovesherself；forsheknowsherselfandperceiveshowworthyoflovesheis。ButIamnotnowspeakingofabsolutevirtue，butofthebeliefmenhavethattheypossessvirtue。Thefactisthatfewerpeopleareendowedwithvirtuethanwishtobethoughttobeso。Itissuchpeoplethattakedelightinflattery。Whentheyareaddressedinlanguageexpresslyadaptedtoflattertheirvanity，theylookuponsuchemptypersiflageasatestimonytothetruthoftheirownpraises。Itisnotthenproperlyfriendshipatallwhentheonewillnotlistentothetruth，andtheotherispreparedtolie。Norwouldtheservilityofparasitesincomedyhaveseemedhumoroustoushadtherebeennosuchthingsasbraggartcaptains。"IsThaisreallymuchobligedtome？"Itwouldhavebeenquiteenoughtoanswer"Much，"buthemustneedssay"Immensely。"
Yourservileflattereralwaysexaggerateswhathisvictimwishestobeputstrongly。Wherefore，thoughitiswiththosewhocatchatandinviteitthatthisflatteringfalsehoodisespeciallypowerful，yetmenevenofsoliderandsteadiercharactermustbewarnedtnbeonthewatchagainstbeingtakeninbycunninglydisguisedflattery。Anopenflattereranyonecandetect，unlessheisanabsolutefoolthecovertinsinuationofthecunningandtheslyiswhatwehavetobestudiouslyonourguardagainst。Hisdetectionisnotbyanymeanstheeasiestthingintheworld，forheoftencovershisservilityundertheguiseofcontradiction，andflattersbypretendingtodispute，andthenatlastgivinginandallowinghimselftobebeaten，thatthepersonhoodwinkedmaythinkhimselftohavebeentheclearer—sighted。Nowwhatcanbemoredegradingthantobethushoodwinked？Youmustbeonyourguardagainstthishappeningtoyou，likethemaninthe_Heiress_：
HowhaveIbeenbefooled!nodrivellingdotardsOnanystageweree’ersop1ayedupon。
Forevenonthestagewehavenogrosserrepresentationoffollythanthatofshort—sightedandcredulousoldmen。ButsomehoworotherIhavestrayedawayfromthefriendshipoftheperfect，thatisofthe"wise"（meaning，ofcourse，such"wisdom"ashumannatureiscapableof），tothesubjectofvulgar，unsubstantialfriendships。
Letusthenreturntoouroriginaltheme，andatlengthbringthat，too，toaconclusion。
27。Well，then，FanniusandMucius，IrepeatwhatIsaidbefore。Itisvirtue，virtue，whichbothcreatesandpreservesfriendship。Onitdependsharmonyofinterest，permanence，fidelity。WhenVirtuehasrearedherheadandshewnthelightofhercountenance，andseenandrecognisedthesamelightinanother，shegravitatestowardsit，andinherturnwelcomesthatwhichtheotherhastoshew；andfromitspringsupaflamewhichyoumaycallloveorfriendshipasyouplease。BothwordsarefromthesamerootinLatin；andloveisjustthecleavingtohimwhomyoulovewithoutthepromptingofneedoranyviewtoadvantage—thoughthislatterblossomsspontaneouslyonfriendship，littleasyoumayhavelookedforit。ItiswithsuchwarmthoffeelingthatIcherishedLuciusPaulus，MarcusCato，GalusGallus，PubliusNasica，TiberiusGracchus，mydearScipio’sfather—in—law。Itshineswithevengreaterwarmthwhenmenareofthesameage，asinthecaseofScipioandLuciusFurius，PubliusRupilius，SpuriusMummius，andmyself。_Enrevanche_，inmyoldageIfindcomfortintheaffectionofyoungmen，asinthecaseofyourselvesandQuintusTubero：naymore，IdelightintheintimacyofsuchaveryyoungmanasPubliusRutiliusandAulusVerginius。Andsincethelawofournatureandofourlifeisthatanewgenerationisforeverspringingup，themostdesirablethingisthatalongwithyourcontemporaries，withwhomyoustartedintherace，youmayalsoteachwhatistousthegoal。Butinviewofthein—stabilityandperishablenessofmortalthings，weshouldbecontinuallyonthelook—outforsometoloveandbywhomtobeloved；forifweloseaffectionandkindlinessfromourlife，weloseallthatgivesitcharm。Forme，indeed，thoughtornawaybyasuddenstroke，Scipiostilllivesandeverwiltlive。ForitwasthevirtueofthemanthatIloved，andthathasnotsuffereddeath。Anditisnotmyeyesonly，becauseIhadallmylifeapersonalexperienceofit，thatneverlosesightofit：itwillshinetoposterityalsowithundimmedglory。Noonewillevercherishanoblerambitionoraloftierhopewithoutthinkinghismemoryandhisimagethebesttoputbeforehiseyes。IdeclarethatofalltheblessingswhicheitherfortuneornaturehasbestoweduponmeIknownonetocomparewithScipio’sfriendship。InitIfoundsympathyinpublic，counselinprivatebusiness；inittooameansofspendingmyleisurewithunalloyeddelight。Never，tothebestofmyknowledge，didI
offendhimeveninthemosttrivialpoint；neverdidIhearawordfromhimIcouldhavewishedunsaid。Wehadonehouse，onetable，onestyleofliving；andnotonlywerewetogetheronforeignservice，butinourtoursalsoandcountrysojourns。Whyspeakofoureagernesstobeevergainingsomeknowledge，tobeeverlearningsomething，onwhichwespentallourleisurehoursfarfromthegazeoftheworld？Iftherecollectionandmemoryofthesethingshadperishedwiththeman，Icouldnotpossiblyhaveenduredtheregretforonesocloselyunitedwithmeinlifeandaffection。Butthesethingshavenotperished；theyareratherfedandstrengthenedbyreflexionandmemory。Evensupposingmetohavebeenentirelybereftofthem，stillmytimeoflifeofitselfbringsmenosmallconsolation：forIcannothavemuchlongernowtobearthisregret；andeverythingthatisbriefoughttobeendurable，howeversevere。
ThisisallIhadtosayonfriendship。Onepieceofadviceonparting。Makeupyourmindstothis。Virtue（withoutwhichfriendshipisimpossible）isfirst；butnexttoit，andtoitalone，thegreatestofallthingsisFriendship。
OnOldAgebyMarcusTulliusCicerotranslatedbyE。S。Shuckburgh1。Andshouldmyservice，Titus，easetheweightOfcarethatwringsyourheart，anddrawthestingWhichranklesthere，whatguerdonshalltherehe？
FORImayaddressyou，Atticus，inthelinesinwhichFlamininuswasaddressedbytheman，who，poorinwealth，wasrichinhonour’sgold，thoughIamwellassuredthatyouarenot，asFlamininuswas，keptontherackofcarebynightandday。
ForIknowhowwellorderedandequableyourmindis，andamfullyawarethatitwasnotasurnamealonewhichyoubroughthomewithyoufromAthens，hutitscultureandgoodsense。AndyetIhaveanideathatyouareattimesstirredtotheheartbythesamecircumstancesasmyself。Toconsoleyoufortheseisamoreseriousmatter，andmustbeputofftoanothertime。ForthepresentIhaveresolvedtodedicatetoyouanessayonOldAge。Forfromtheburdenofimpendingoratleastadvancingage，commontousboth，IwoulddosomethingtorelieveusboththoughastoyourselfIamfullyawarethatyousupportandwillsupportit，asyoudoeverythingelse，withcalmnessandphilosophy。ButdirectlyI
resolvedtowriteonoldage，youatonceoccurredtomeasdeservingagiftofwhichbothofusmighttakeadvantage。Tomyself，indeed，thecompositionofthisbookhasbeensodelightful，thatithasnotonlywipedawayallthedisagreeablesofoldage，buthasevenmadeitluxuriousanddelightfultoo。Never，therefore，canphilosophybepraisedashighlyasitdeservesconsideringthatitsfaithfuldiscipleisabletospendeveryperiodofhislifewithunruffledfeelings。However，onothersubjectsI
havespokenatlarge，andshalloftenspeakagain：
thishookwhichIherewithsendyouisonOldAge。Ihaveputthewholediscoursenot，asAlistoofCosdid，inthemouthofTithonus—foramerefablewouldhavelackedconviction—butinthatofMarcusCatowhenhewasanoldman，togivemyessaygreaterweight。IrepresentLaeliusandScipioathishouseexpressingsurpriseathiscarryinghisyearssolightly，andCatoansweringthem。Ifheshallseemtoshewsomewhatmorelearninginthisdiscoursethanhegenerallydidinhisownbooks，putitdowntotheGreekliteratureofwhichitisknownthathebecameaneagerstudentinhisoldage。Butwhatneedofmore？Cato’sownwordswillatonceexplainallIfeelaboutoldage。
M。Cato。PubliusCorneliusScipioAfricanus（theyounger）。GaiusLaelius。
2。_Scipio_。ManyatimehaveIinconversationwithmyfriendGaiusLaeliushereexpressedmyadmiration，MarcusCato，oftheeminent，nayperfect，wisdomdisplayedbyyouindeedatallpoints，butaboveeverythingbecauseIhavenoticedthatoldageneverseemedaburdentoyou，whiletomostoldmenitissohatefulthattheydeclarethemselvesunderaweightheavierthanAetna。
_Cato_。Youradmirationiseasilyexcited，itseems，mydearScipioandLaelius。Men，ofcourse，whohavenoresourcesinthemselvesforsecuringagoodandhappylifefindeveryageburdensome。Butthosewholookforallhappinessfromwithincanneverthinkanythinghadwhichnaturemakesinevitable。Inthatcategorybeforeanythingelsecomesoldage）towhichallwishtoattain，andatwhichallgrumblewhenattained。SuchisFolly’sinconsistencyandunreasonableness!Theysaythatitisstealinguponthemfasterthantheyexpected。Inthefirstplace，whocompelledthemtohuganillusion？Forinwhatrespectdidoldagestealuponmanhoodfasterthanmanhooduponchildhood？
Inthenextplace，inwhatwaywouldoldagehavebeenlessdisagreeabletothemiftheywereintheireight—hundredthyearthanintheireightieth？Fortheirpast，howeverlong，whenonceitwaspast，wouldhavenoconsolationforastupidoldage。
Wherefore，ifitisyourwonttoadmiremywisdom—andIwouldthatitwereworthyofyourgoodopinionandofmyownsurnameofSapiens—itreallyconsistsinthefactthatIfollowNature，thebestofguides，asIwouldagod，andamloyaltohercommands。Itisnotlikely，ifshehaswrittentherestoftheplaywell，thatshehasbeencarelessaboutthelastactlikesomeidlepoet。Butafterallsome"last"wasinevitable，justastotheberriesofatreeandthefruitsoftheearththerecomesinthefulnessoftimeaperiodofdecayandfall。Awisemanwillnotmakeagrievanceofthis。Torebelagainstnature—isnotthattofightlikethegiantswiththegods？
_Laelius_。Andyet，Cato，youwilldousaverygreatfavour（I
venturetospeakforScipioasformyself）if—sinceweallhope，oratleastwish，tobecomeoldmen—youwouldallowustolearnfromyouingoodtimebeforeitarrives，bywhatmethodswemaymosteasilyacquirethestrengthtosupporttheburdenofadvancingage。
_Cato_。Iwilldosowithoutdoubt，Laelius，especiallyif，asyousay，itwillbeagreeabletoyouboth。
_Laelius_Wedowishverymuch，Cato，ifitisnotroubletoyou，tobeallowedtoseethenatureofthebournewhichyouhavereachedaftercompletingalongjourney，asitwere，uponwhichwetooareboundtoembark。
3。_Cato_。IwilldothebestIcan，Laelius。Ithasoftenbeenmyfortunetobearthecomplaintsofmycontemporaries—likewilltolike，youknow，accordingtotheoldproverb—complaintstowhichmenlikeC。SalinatorandSp。Albinus，whowereofconsularrankandaboutmytime，usedtogivevent。Theywere，first，thattheyhadlostthepleasuresofthesenses，withoutwhichtheydidnotregardlifeaslifeatall；and，secondly，thattheywereneglectedbythosefromwhomtheyhadbeenusedtoreceiveattentions。Suchmenappeartometolaytheblameonthewrongthing。Forifithadbeenthefaultofoldage，thenthesesamemisfortuneswouldhavebefallenmeandallothermenofadvancedyears。ButIhaveknownmanyofthemwhoneversaidawordofcomplaintagainstoldage；fortheywereonlytoogladtobefreedfromthebondageofpassion，andwerenotatalllookeddownuponbytheirfriends。
Thefactisthattheblameforallcomplaintsofthatkindistobechargedtocharacter，nottoaparticulartimeoflife。Foroldmenwhoarereasonableandneithercross—grainednorchurlishfindoldagetolerableenough：whereasunreasonandchurlishnesscauseuneasinessateverytimeoflife。
_Laelius_Itisasyousay，Cato。Butperhapssomeonemaysuggestthatitisyourlargemeans，wealth，andhighpositionthatmakeyouthinkoldagetolerable：whereassuchgoodfortuneonlyfallstofew。
_Cato_。Thereissomethinginthat，Laelius，butbynomeansall。
Forinstance，thestoryistoldoftheanswerofThemistoclesinawranglewithacertainSeriphian，whoassertedthatheowedhisbrilliantpositiontothereputationofhiscountry，nottohisown。
"IfIhadbeenaSeriphian，"saidhe，"evenIshouldneverhavebeenfamous，norwouldyouifyouhadbeenanAthenian。Somethinglikethismaybesaidofoldage。Forthephilosopherhimselfcouldnotfindoldageeasytobearinthedepthsofpoverty，northefoolfeelitanythingbutaburdenthoughhewereamillionaire。Youmayhesure，mydearScipioandLaelius，thatthearmsbestadaptedtooldagearecultureandtheactiveexerciseofthevirtues。Foriftheyhavebeenmaintainedateveryperiod—ifonehaslivedmuchaswellaslong—theharvesttheyproduceiswonderful，notonlybecausetheyneverfailuseveninourlastdays（thoughthatinitselfissupremelyimportant），butalsobecausetheconsciousnessofawell—spentlifeandtherecollectionofmanyvirtuousactionsareexceedinglydelightful。
4。TakethecaseofQ。FabiusMaximus，theman，Imean，whorecoveredTarentum。WhenIwasayoungmanandheanoldone，Iwasasmuchattachedtohimasifhehadbeenmycontemporary。
Forthatgreatman5seriousdignitywastemperedbycourteousmanners，norhadoldagemadeanychangeinhischaracter。True，hewasnotexactlyanoldmanwhenmydevotiontohimbegan，yethewasneverthelesswelloninlife；forhisfirstconsulshipfellintheyearaftermybirth。WhenquiteastriplingIwentwithhiminhisfourthconsulshipasasoldierintheranks，ontheexpeditionagainstCapua，andinthefifthyearafterthatagainstTarentum。
FouryearsafterthatIwaselectedQuaestor，holdingofficeintheconsulshipofTuditanusandCethegus，inwhichyear，indeed，heasaveryoldmanspokeinfavouroftheCincianlaw"ongiftsandfees。"
Nowthismanconductedwarswithallthespiritofyouthwhenhewasfaradvancedinlife，andbyhispersistencegraduallyweariedoutHannibal，whenriotinginalltheconfidenceofyouth。HowbrilliantarethoselinesofmyfriendEnniusonhim!
Forus，downbeatenbythestormsoffate，OnemanbywisedelaysrestoredtheState。
Praiseordispraisemovednothisconstantmood，Truetohispurpose，tohiscountry’sgood!
Downever—lengtheningavenuesoffameThusshinesandshallshinestillhisgloriousname。
Againwhatvigilance，whatprofoundskilldidheshowinthecaptureofTarentum!ItwasindeedinmyhearingthathemadethefamousretorttoSalinator，whohadretreatedintothecitadelafterlosingthetown："Itwasowingtome，QuintusFabius，thatyouretookTarentum。"Quiteso，"herepliedwithalaugh；"forhadyounotlostit，Ishouldneverhaverecoveredit。"Norwashelesseminentincivillifethaninwar。Inhissecondconsulship，thoughhiscolleaguewouldnotmoveinthematter，heresistedaslongashecouldtheproposalofthetribuneC。FlaminiustodividetheterritoryofthePiceniansandGaulsinfreeallotmentsindefianceofaresolutionoftheSenate。Again，thoughhewasanaugur，heventuredtosaythatwhateverwasdoneintheinterestsoftheStatewasdonewiththebestpossibleauspices，thatanylawsproposedagainstitsinterestwereproposedagainsttheauspices。Iwascognisantofmuchthatwasadmirableinthatgreatman，butnothingstruckmewithgreaterastonishmentthanthewayinwhichheborethedeathofhisson—amanofbrilliantcharacterandwhohadbeenconsul。Hisfuneralspeechoverhimisinwidecirculation，andwhenwereadit，isthereanyphilosopherofwhomwedonotthinkmeanly？Norintruthwasheonlygreatinthelightofdayandinthesightofhisfellow—citizens；hewasstillmoreeminentinprivateandathome。Whatawealthofconversation!
Whatweightymaxims!Whatawideacquaintancewithancienthistory!Whatanaccurateknowledgeofthescienceofaugury!ForaRoman，too，hehadagreattinctureofletters。Hehadatenaciousmemoryformilitaryhistoryofeverysort，whetherofRomanorforeignwars。AndIusedatthattimetoenjoyhisconversationwithapassionateeagerness，asthoughIalreadydivined，whatactuallyturnedouttobethecase，thatwhenhediedtherewouldbenoonetoteachmeanything。
5。WhatthenisthepurposeofsuchalongdisquisitiononMaximus？Itisbecauseyounowseethatanoldagelikehiscannotconscientiouslybecalledunhappy。YetitisafteralltruethateverybodycannotbeaScipiooraMaximus，withstormingsofcities，withbattlesbylandandsea，withwarsinwhichtheythemselvescommanded，andwithtriumphstorecall。Besidesthisthereisaquiet，pure，andcultivatedlifewhichproducesacalmandgentleoldage，suchaswehavebeentoldPlato’swas，whodiedathiswriting—deskinhiseighty—firstyear；orlikethatofIsocrates，whosaysthathewrotethebookcalledThePanegyricinhisninety—fourthyear，andwholivedforfiveyearsafterwards；
whilehismasterGorgiasofLeontinicompletedahundredandsevenyearswithouteverrelaxinghisdiligenceorgivingupwork。
Whensomeoneaskedhimwhyheconsentedtoremainsolongalive—"Ihavenofault，"saidhe，"tofindwitholdage。"Thatwasanobleanswer，andworthyofascholar。Forfoolsimputetheirownfrailtiesandguilttooldage，contrarytothepracticeofEnniu9，whomImentionedjustnow。Inthelines—
LikesomebravesteedthatoftbeforeTheOlympicwreathofvictorybore，Nowbytheweightofyearsoppressed，Forgetstherace，andtakeshisrest—
hecompareshisownoldagetothatofahigh—spiritedandsuccessfalrace—horse。Andhimindeedyoumayverywellremember。ForthepresentconsulsTitusFlamininusandManiusAciliuswereelectedinthenineteenthyearafterhisdeath；andhisdeathoccurredintheconsulshipofCaepioandPhilippus，thelatterconsulforthesecondtime：inwhichyearI，thensixty—sixyearsold，spokeinfavouroftheVoconianlawinavoicethatwasstillstrongandwithlungsstillsound；whilebe，thoughseventyyearsold，supportedtwoburdensconsideredtheheaviestofall—povertyandoldage—insuchawayastobeallbutfondofthem。
ThefactisthatwhenIcometothinkitover，Ifindthattherearefourreasonsforoldagebeingthoughtunhappy：
First，thatitwithdrawsusfromactiveemployments；second，thatitenfeeblesthebody；third，thatitdeprivesusofnearlyallphysicalpleasures；fourth，thatitisthenextsteptodeath。Ofeachofthesereasons，ifyouwillallowme，letusexaminetheforceandjusticeseparately。
6。OLDAGEWITHDRAWSUSFROMACTIVE
EMPLOYMENTS。Fromwhichofthem？Doyoumeanfromthosccarriedonbyyouthandbodilystrength？Aretherethennooldmen’semploymentstobeafterallconductedbytheintellect，evenwhenbodiesareweak？SothenQ。Maximusdidnothing；norL。
Aemilius—ourfather，Scipio，andmyexcellentson’sfather—in—law!
Sowithotheroldmen—theFabricii，theGuruandCoruncanii—whentheyweresupportingtheStatebytheiradviceandinfluence，theyweredoingnothing!TooldageAppiusClaudiushadtheadditionaldisadvantageofbeingblind；yetitwashewho，whentheSenatewasincliningtowardsapeacewithPyrrhusandwasformakingatreaty，didnothesitatetosaywhatEnniushasembalmedintheverses：
Whitherhaveswervedthesoulssofirmofyore？
Issensegrownsenseless？Canfeetstandnomore？
Andsooninatoneofthemostpassionatevehemence。Youknowthepoem，andthespeechofAppiushimselfisextant。Now，hedelivereditseventeenyearsafterhissecondconsulship，therehavingbeenanintervaloftenyearsbetweenthetwoconsulships，andhehavingbeencensorbeforehispreviousconsulship。ThiswillshowyouthatatthetimeofthewarwithPyrrhushewasaveryoldman。Yetthisisthestoryhandeddowntous。
Thereisthereforenothingintheargumentsofthosewhosaythatoldagetakesnopartinpublicbusiness。Theyarelikemenwhowouldsaythatasteersmandocsnothinginsailingaship，because，whilesomeofthecrewareclimbingthemasts，othershurryingupanddownthegangways，otherspumpingoutthebilgewater，hesitsquietlyinthesternholdingthetiller。Hedoesnotdowhatyoungmendo；neverthelesshedoeswhatismuchmoreimportantandbetter。Thegreataffairsoflifearenotperformedbyphysicalstrength，oractivity，ornimblenessofbody，butbydeliberation，character，expressionofopinion。Oftheseoldageisnotonlynotdeprived，but，asarule，hastheminagreaterdegree。UnlessbyanychanceI，whoasasoldierintheranks，asmilitarytribune，aslegate，andasconsulhavebeenemployedinvariouskindsofwar，nowappeartoyoutobeidlebecausenotactivelyengagedinwar。
ButIenjoinupontheSenatewhatistobedone，andhow。
Carthagehaslongbeenharbouringevildesigns，andIaccordinglyproclaimwaragainstheringoodtime。IshallneverceasetoentertainfearsabouthertillIbearofherhavingbeenlevelledwiththeground。ThegloryofdoingthatIpraythattheimmortalgodsmayreserveforyou，Scipio，sothatyoumaycompletethetaskbegunbyyourgrand—father，nowdeadmorethanthirty—twoyearsago；thoughallyearstocomewillkeepthatgreatman’smemorygreen。Hediedintheyearbeforemycensorship，nineyearsaftermyconsulship，havingbeenreturnedconsulforthesecondtimeinmyownconsulship。Ifthenhehadlivedtohishundredthyear，wouldhehaveregrettedhavinglivedtobeold？Forhewouldofcoursenothavebeenpractisingrapidmarches，nordashingonafoe，norhurlingspearsfromadistance，norusingswordsatclosequarters—butonlycounsel，reason，andsenatorialeloquence。Andifthosequalitieshadnotresidedinus_seniors_，ourancestorswouldneverhavecalledtheirsupremecouncilaSenate。AtSparta，indeed，thosewhoholdthehighestmagistraciesareinaccordancewiththefactactuallycalled"elders。"Butifyouwilltakethetroubletoreadorlistentoforeignhistory，youwillfindthatthemightiestStateshavebeenbroughtintoperilbyyoungmen，havebeensupportedandrestoredbyold。ThequestionoccursinthepoetNaevius’s_Sport_：
Pray，whoarethosewhobroughtyourStateWithsuchdespatchtomeetitsfate？
Thereisalonganswer，butthisisthechiefpoint：
Acropofbrand—neworatorswegrew，Andfoolish，paltryladswhothoughttheyknew。
Forofcourserashnessisthenoteofyouth，prudenceofoldage。
7。But，itissaid，memorydwindles。Nodoubt，unlessyoukeepitinpractice，orifyouhappentobesomewhatdullbynature。
Themistocleshadthenamesofallhisfellow—citizensbyheart。DoyouimaginethatinhisoldageheusedtoaddressAristidesasLysimachus？Formypart，Iknownotonlythepresentgeneration，buttheirfathersalso，andtheirgrandfathers。NorhaveIanyfearoflosingmymemorybyreadingtombstones，accordingtothevulgarsuperstition。Onthecontrary，byreadingthemIrenewmymemoryofthosewhoaredeadandgone。Nor，inpointoffact，haveIeverheardofanyoldmanforgettingwherehehadhiddenhismoney。Theyremembereverythingthatintereststhem：whentoanswertotheirbail，businessappointments，whoowesthemmoney，andtowhomtheyoweit。Whataboutlawyers，pontiffs，augurs，philosophers，whenold？
Whatamultitudeofthingstheyremember!Oldmenretaintheirintellectswellenough，ifonlytheykeeptheirmindsactiveandfullyemployed。Noristhatthecaseonlywithmenofhighpositionandgreatoffice：
itappliesequallytoprivatelifeandpeacefulpursuits。Sophoclescomposedtragediestoextremeoldage；andbeingbelievedtoneglectthecareofhispropertyowingtohisdevotiontohisart，hissonsbroughthimintocourttogetajudicialdecisiondeprivinghimofthemanagementofhispropertyonthegroundofweakintellect—justasinourlawitiscustomarytodepriveapaterfamiliasofthemanagementofhispropertyifheissquanderingit。There—upontheoldpoetissaidtohavereadtothejudgestheplayhehadonhandandhadjustcomposed—the_OedipusColoneus_—andtohaveaskedthemwhethertheythoughtthattheworkofamanofweakintellect。Afterthereadinghewasacquittedbythejury。Didoldagethencompelthismantobecomesilentinhisparticularart，orHomer，Hesiod，Simonides，orIsocratesandGorgiaswhomImentionedbefore，orthefoundersofschoolsofphilosophy，Pythagoras，Democritus，Plato，Xenocrates，orlaterZenoandCleanthus，orDiogenestheStoic，whomyoutoosawatRome？Isitnotratherthecasewithallthesethattheactivepursuitofstudyonlyendedwithlife？
But，topassoverthesesublimestudies，IcannamesomerusticRomansfromtheSabinedistrict，neighboursandfriendsofmyown，withoutwhosepresencefarmworkofimportanceisscarcelyeverperformed—whethersowing，orharvestingorstoringcrops。
Andyetinotherthingsthiss’lesssurprising；fornooneissooldastothinkthathemaynotliveayear。Buttheybestowtheirlabouronwhattheyknowdoesnotaffecttheminanycase：
Heplantshistreestoservearacetocome，asourpoetStatiussaysinhisComrades。Norindeedwouldafarmer，howeverold，hesitatetoansweranyonewhoaskedhimforwhomhewasplanting："Fortheimmortalgods，whosewillitwasthatIshouldnotmerelyreceivethesethingsfrommyancestors，butshouldalsohandthemontothenextgeneration。"
8。Thatremarkabouttheoldmanisbetterthanthefollowing：
Ifagebroughtnothingworsethanthis，Itwereenoughtomarourbliss，ThathewhobidesformanyyearsSeesmuchtoshunandmuchfortears。
Yes，andperhapsmuchthatgiveshimpleasuretoo。Besides，astosubjectsfortears，heoftencomesupontheminyouthaswell。
AstillmorequestionablesentimentinthesameCaeciliusis：
NogreatermiserycanofagebetoldThanthis：besure，theyoungdisliketheold。
Delightinthemisnearerthemarkthandislike。ForJustasoldmen，iftheyarewise，takepleasureinthesocietyofyoungmenofgoodparts，andasoldageisrenderedlessdrearyforthosewhoarecourtedandlikedbytheyouth，soalsodoyoungmenfindpleasureinthemaximsoftheold，bywhichtheyaredrawntothepursuitofexcellence。NordoIperceivethatyoufindmysocietylesspleasantthanIdoyours。Butthisisenoughtoshowyouhow，sofarfrombeinglistlessandsluggish，oldageisevenabusytime，alwaysdoingandattemptingsomething，ofcourseofthesamenatureaseachman’stastehadbeeninthepreviouspartofhislife。
Nay，donotsomeevenaddtotheirstockoflearning？WeseeSolon，forinstance，boastinginhispoemsthathegrowsold"dailylearningsomethingnew。"Oragaininmyowncase，itwasonlywhenanoldmanthatIbecameacquaintedwithGreekliterature，whichinfactIabsorbedwithsuchavidity—inmyyearningtoquench，asitwere，along—continuedthirst—thatIbecameacquaintedwiththeveryfactswhichyouseemenowusingasprecedents。WhenIheardwhatSocrateshaddoneaboutthelyreI
shouldhavelikedformyparttohavedonethattoo，fortheancientsusedtolearnthelyrebut，atanyrate，Iworkedhardatliterature。
9。Nor，again，doInowMISSTHEBODILYSTRENGTHOFA
YOUNGMAN（forthatwasthesecondpointastothedisadvantagesofoldage）anymorethanasayoungmanImissedthestrengthofabulloranelephant。Youshouldusewhatyouhave，andwhateveryoumaychancetobedoing，doitwithallyourmight。WhatcouldbeweakerthanMiloofCroton’sexclamation？
Wheninhisoldagehewaswatchingsomeathletespractisinginthecourse，heissaidtohavelookedathisarmsandtohaveexclaimedwithtearsinhiseyes："Ahwell!thesearenowasgoodasdead。"Notabitmoresothanyourself，youtrifler!Foratnotimewereyoumadefamousbyyourrealself，butbychestandbiceps。Sext。Aeliusnevergaveventtosucharemark，nor，manyyearsbeforehim，TitusCoruncanius，nor，morerecently，P。