The Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius - College of Stoic Philosophers

AN ESSAY ON FRIENDSHIP 285
they each of them perished by their own desperate
hands.
It appears, then, from the principles I have laid down,
that these kinds of wicked combinations under the pre
tended obligations of friendship, are so far from being
sanctified by that relation, that on the contrary they
ought to be publicly discouraged by the severest punish
ments ;
lest it should be thought an allowed maxim, that
a friend is to be supported in every outrage he may
commit, even though he should take up arms against his
country. I am the more earnest to expose
the error of
this dangerous persuasion, as there are certain symptoms
in the present times which give me reason to fear that at
some future period the impious principle I am combating
may actually be extended to the case I last mentioned ;
and I am no less desirous that the peace of the republic
should be preserved after my death than zealous to
maintain it during my life.
The first and great axiom therefore in the laws of amity
should invariably be never to require from a friend
what he cannot grant without a breach of his honour ;
and always to be ready to assist him upon every occasion
consistent with that principle/ So long as we shall act
under the secure guard of this sacred barrier,
it will not
be sufficient merely to yield a ready compliance with all
his desires ; we ought to anticipate and prevent them.
Another rule likewise of indispensable obligation upon all
who would approve themselves true friends, is, to be
ever ready to offer their advice, with an unreserved and
honest frankness of heart. The counsels of a faithful
and friendly monitor carry with them an authority which
ought to have great influence, and they should be urged
not only with freedom, but even with severity, if the
occasion should appear to require it.
I am informed that certain Greek writers (philosophers,
it seems, in the opinion of their countrymen) have ad-