Words of Wisdom

Great Books of the Western World - Plato

Then now we know the answer to the question "Who are friends?" for the argument declares "That the good are friends."

Yes, he said, that is true.

--- assuming that like, inasmuch as he is like, is the friend of like, and useful to him --- or rather let me try another way of putting the matter: Can like do any good or harm to like a which he could not do to himself, or suffer anything from his like which he would not suffer from himself? And if neither can be of any use to the other, how can they be loved by one another? Can they now?

They cannot.

And can he who is not loved very a friend?

Certainly not.

But say that the like is not the friend of the like in so far as he is like; still the good may be the friend of the good in so far as he is good?

True

But then again, will not the good, in so far as he is good, be sufficient for himself? Certainly he will. And he who is sufficient wants nothing --- that is implied in the word sufficient.

Of course not.

And he who wants nothing will desire nothing?

He will not.

Neither can he love that which he does not desire?

He cannot

And he who loves not is not a lover or friend?

Clearly not.

What place then is there for friendship , if, when absent, good men have no need of one another, and when present have no use of one another? How can such persons ever be induced to value one another?

They cannot.

And friends they cannot be, unless they value one another?

Very true.