The Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius - College of Stoic Philosophers
The Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius - College of Stoic Philosophers
The Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius - College of Stoic Philosophers
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306 IJELIUS; OR,<br />
equally actuated by a strong sense <strong>of</strong> justice and equity,<br />
they will at all times equally be zealous to exert their<br />
utmost powers in the service <strong>of</strong> each other, well assured<br />
that nothing will ever be required, on either side, incon<br />
sistent with the dictates <strong>of</strong> truth and honour. In<br />
consequence <strong>of</strong> these principles they will not only love,<br />
but revere each other. I<br />
say revere, for where reverence<br />
does not dwell with affection, amity<br />
is bereaved <strong>of</strong> her<br />
noblest and most graceful ornament.<br />
It is an error, therefore, that leads to the most pernicious<br />
consequences to imagine that the laws <strong>of</strong> friendship<br />
supersede those <strong>of</strong> moral obligation, and justify a partici<br />
pation with licentiousness and debauchery. Nature has<br />
sown the seed <strong>of</strong> that social affection in the heart <strong>of</strong> man<br />
for purposes far different ;<br />
not to produce confederates<br />
in vice, but auxiliaries in virtue. Solitary and sequestered<br />
virtue is indeed incapable <strong>of</strong> rising to the same height as<br />
when she acts in conjunction with an affectionate and<br />
animating companion <strong>of</strong> her generous efforts. <strong>The</strong>y who<br />
are thus leagued in reciprocal support and encouragement<br />
<strong>of</strong> each other s moral ambition may be considered as<br />
setting out together in the best company and surest road<br />
towards those desirable objects in which nature has placed<br />
the supreme felicity <strong>of</strong> man. Yes, my friends, I will<br />
repeat it again. An amity ennobled by<br />
these exalted<br />
principles, and directed to these laudable purposes, leads<br />
to honour and to glory, and is productive, at the same<br />
time, <strong>of</strong> that sweet satisfaction and complacency <strong>of</strong> mind<br />
which, in conjunction with the two former, essentially<br />
constitute real happiness. He, therefore, who means to<br />
acquire these great and ultimate beatitudes <strong>of</strong> human<br />
life must receive them from the hands <strong>of</strong> Virtue ;<br />
as<br />
neither friendship or aught else deservedly valuable can<br />
possibly be obtained without her influence and inter<br />
vention. For they who persuade themselves that they<br />
may possess a true friend, at least, where moral merit
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