The Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius - College of Stoic Philosophers

AN ESSAY ON FRIENDSHIP 271
only that attainable degree
of moral merit which is
understood by the term in common discourse, and may
be exemplified in actual practice. Without entering,
therefore, into a particular inquiry concerning those
imaginary beings which never have been realized in
human nature, I think myself warranted in considering
those persons as truly good men who have always been so
deemed in the general opinion of mankind the Pauli, for
instance, and the Catos, the Galli, the Scipios, and the
Phili ;
for with such characters the world has reason to
be well contented.
When Friendship, therefore, is contracted between men
who possess a degree of virtue not inferior to that which
adorned those approved personages I have just named,
it is
productive of unspeakable advantages. Life would
be utterly lifeless, as old Ennius expresses it, without a
friend on whose kindness and fidelity one might confidently
repose. Can there be a more real complacency, indeed,
than to lay open to another the most secret thoughts of
one s
heart with the same confidence and security as if
they were still concealed in his own ? Would not the
fruits of prosperity lose much of their relish were there
none who equally rejoiced with the possessor in the
satisfaction he received from them ? And how difficult
must it
prove to bear up under the pressure of misfortunes
unsupported by a generous associate who more than
equally divides their load ? In short, the several occasions
to which friendship extends its kindly offices are un
bounded, while the advantage of every other object of
human desires is confined within certain specific and
determinate limits, beyond which it is of no avail. Thus
wealth is
pursued for the particular
uses to which it is
solely applicable ; power, in order to receive worship ;
honours, for the sake of fame ; sensual indulgences, on
account of the gratifications that attend them ;
and
health, as the means of living exempt from pain and