,,treatises ,,on ,,fri5d%ip ,,& ,,old   
,,age  ,by ,m>cus ,tullius ,cic]o       
,translat$ by ,e4 ,s4 ,%uckburgh        
,,introductory ,,note  ,,m>cus ,,tullius
 ,,cic]o1 ! greate/ ( ,roman orators & !
 *ief ma/] ( ,lat9 prose /yle1 0 born at
 ,arp9um1 ,jan4 #c1 #ajf ,b4,c4 ,8 fa!r1
 :o 0 a man ( prop]ty & belong$ to !    
class ( ! ,knights1 mov$ to ,rome :5    
,cic]o 0 a *ild2 & ! future /atesman    
receiv$ an elaborate education 9        
rhetoric1 law1 & philosophy1 /udy+ &    
practis+ "u "s ( ! mo/ not$ tea*]s ( !  
"t4 ,he began 8 c>e] z an advocate at ! 
age ( tw5ty-five1 & almo/ imm$iately    
came to be recogniz$ n only z a man (   
brilliant tal5ts b also z a c\rage\s    
uphold] ( ju/ice 9 ! face ( grave       
political dang]4 ,aft] two ye>s (       
practice he left ,rome to travel 9      
,greece & ,asia1 tak+ all !             
opportunities t (f]$ to /udy 8 art "u   
di/+ui%$ ma/]s4 ,he return$ to ,rome    
greatly improv$ 9 heal? & 9 pr(essional 
skill1 & 9 #gf ,b4 ,c4 0 elect$ to !    

(fice ( quae/or4 ,he 0 assign$ to !     
prov9ce ( ,lilybaeum 9 ,sicily1 & !     
vigor & ju/ice ( 8 adm9i/ration e>n$ him
 ! gratitude ( ! inhabitants4 ,x 0 at _!
 reque/ t he und]took 9 #gj ,b4 ,c4 !   
,prosecution ( ,v]res1 :o z ,praetor _h 
subject$ ! ,sicilians to incr$ible      
extortion & oppression2 & 8 successful  
conduct ( ?is case1 :i* end$ 9 !        
conviction & bani%m5t ( ,v]res1 may be  
said to h laun*$ him on 8 political     
c>e]4 ,he became a$ile 9 ! same ye>1 9  
#fg ,b4,c4 praetor1 & 9 #fd ,b4 ,c4 0   
elect$ consul by a l>ge majority4 ,! mo/
 important ev5t ( ! ye> ( 8 consul%ip 0 
! conspiracy ( ,catil9e4 ,?is notori\s  
crim9al ( patrician rank _h conspir$ ) a
 numb] ( o!rs1 _m ( !m "y m5 ( high bir?
 b dissipat$ "*1 to seize ! *ief (fices 
( ! /ate1 & to extricate !mselves f !   
pecuni>y & o!r difficulties t _h result$
 f _! excesses1 by ! :olesale plund] ( !
 city4 ,! plot 0 unmask$ by ! vigilance 
( ,cic]o1 five ( ! traitors 7 summ>ily  
execut$1 & 9 ! ov]?r[ ( ! army t _h be5 

ga!r$ 9 _! support ,catil9e himself     
p]i%$4 ,cic]o reg>d$ himself z ! savior 
( 8 c\ntry1 & 8 c\ntry = ! mom5t seem$  
to give grateful ass5t4  ,b rev]ses 7 at
 h&4 ,dur+ ! exi/5ce ( ! political      
comb9ation ( ,pompey1 ,caes>1 &         
,crassus1 kn[n z ! fir/ triumvirate1 ,p4
 ,clodius1 an enemy ( ,cic]o's1 propos$ 
a law bani%+ any "o :o _h put ,roman    
citiz5s to dea? )\t trial4 ,?is 0 aim$  
at ,cic]o on acc\nt ( 8 %>e 9 ! ,catil9e
 affair1 & 9 ,m>*1 #eh ,b4 ,c41 he left 
,rome4 ,! same day a law 0 pass$ by :i* 
he 0 bani%$ by "n1 & 8 prop]ty 0 plund]$
 & de/roy$1 a temple to ,lib]ty be+     
erect$ on ! site ( 8 h\se 9 ! city4     
,dur+ 8 exile ,cic]o's manl9ess to "s   
ext5t des]t$ him4 ,he drift$ f place to 
place1 seek+ ! protection ( (ficials    
aga9/ assass9ation1 writ+ lett]s urg+ 8 
support]s to agitate = 8 recall1        
sometimes accus+ !m ( lukew>mness & ev5 
trea*]y1 bemoan+ ! +ratitude ( 8 c\ntry 
or regrett+ ! c\rse ( action t _h l$ to 
8 outlawry1 & suff]+ f extreme          

depression ov] 8 sep>ation f 8 wife &   
*ildr5 & ! wreck ( 8 political          
ambitions4 ,f9ally 9 ,augu/1 #eg ,b4    
,c41 ! decree = 8 re/oration 0 pass$1 & 
he return$ to ,rome ! next mon?1 be+    
receiv$ ) imm5se popul> en?usiasm4 ,dur+
 ! next few ye>s ! r5ewal ( ! und]/&+   
among ! triumvirs %ut ,cic]o out f any  
lead+ "p 9 politics1 & he resum$ 8      
activity 9 ! law-c\rts1 8 mo/ important 
case be+1 p]haps1 ! def5ce ( ,milo = !  
murd] ( ,clodius1 ,cic]o's mo/          
tr\blesome enemy4 ,?is oration1 9 !     
revis$ =m 9 :i* x has come d[n to u1 is 
rank$ z among ! f9e/ specim5s ( ! art ( 
! orator1 ?\gh 9 its orig9al =m x fail$ 
to secure ,milo's acquittal4 ,meantime1 
,cic]o 0 also devot+ mu* "t to lit]>y   
composition1 & 8 lett]s %[ great        
dejection ov] ! political situation1 & a
 some:at wav]+ attitude t[>ds ! v>i\s   
p>ties 9 ! /ate4 ,9 #ee ,b4 ,c4 he w5t  
to ,cilicia 9 ,asia ,m9or z proconsul1  
an (fice :i* he adm9i/]$ ) effici5cy &  
integrity 9 civil affairs & ) success 9 

milit>y4 ,he return$ to ,italy 9 ! end (
 ! foll[+ ye>1 & he 0 publicly ?ank$ by 
! s5ate = 8 s]vices1 b disappo9t$ 9 8   
hopes = a triumph4 ,! w> = supremacy    
betwe5 ,caes> & ,pompey :i* _h = "s "t  
be5 gradually gr[+ m c]ta91 broke out 9 
#di ,b4,c41 :5 ,caes> l$ 8 army across !
 ,rubicon1 & ,cic]o aft] mu*            
irresolution ?rew 9 8 lot ) ,pompey1 :o 
0 ov]?r[n ! next ye> 9 ! battle (       
,ph>salus & lat] murd]$ 9 ,egypt4 ,cic]o
 return$ to ,italy1 :]e ,caes> treat$   
him magnanim\sly1 & = "s "t he devot$   
himself to philosophical & rhetorical   
writ+4 ,9 #df ,b4,c4 he divorc$ 8 wife  
,t]5tia1 to :om he _h be5 m>ri$ = ?irty 
ye>s & m>ri$ ! "y & weal?y ,publilia 9  
ord] to relieve himself f f9ancial      
difficulties2 b h] also he %ortly       
divorc$4 ,caes>1 :o _h n[ become supreme
 9 ,rome1 0 assass9at$ 9 #dd ,b4,c41 &  
?\gh ,cic]o 0 n a %>] 9 ! conspiracy1 he
 seems to h approv$ ! de$4 ,9 !         
confusion :i* foll[$ he support$ ! cause
 ( ! conspirators aga9/ ,antony2 & :5   

f9ally ! triumvirate ( ,antony1         
,octavius1 & ,lepidus 0 e/abli%$1 ,cic]o
 0 includ$ among ! proscrib$1 & on      
,decemb] #g1 #dc ,b4,c41 he 0 kill$ by  
ag5ts ( ,antony4 ,8 head & h& 7 cut (f &
 exhibit$ at ,rome4  ,! mo/ important   
orations ( ! la/ mon?s ( 8 life 7 !     
f\rte5 ,philippics deliv]$ aga9/        
,antony1 & ! price ( ?is enmity he paid 
) 8 life4  ,to 8 contempor>ies ,cic]o 0 
prim>ily ! great =5sic & political      
orator ( 8 "t1 & ! fifty-eight spee*es  
:i* h come d[n to u be> te/imony to !   
skill1 wit1 eloqu5ce1 & passion :i* gave
 him 8 pre-em95ce4 ,b ^! spee*es (      
necessity deal ) ! m9ute details ( !    
occasions :i* call$ !m =?1 & s require =
 _! appreciation a full k ( ! hi/ory1   
political & p]sonal1 ( ! "t4 ,! lett]s1 
on ! o!r h&1 are less elaborate bo? 9   
/yle & 9 ! h&l+ ( curr5t ev5ts1 :ile !y 
s]ve to reveal 8 p]sonality1 & to ?r[   
light ^u ,roman life 9 ! la/ days ( !   
,republic 9 an extremely vivid fa%ion4  
,cic]o z a man1 9 spite ( 8             

self-importance1 ! vacillation ( 8      
political conduct 9 desp]ate crises1 & !
 :9+ despond5cy ( 8 times ( adv]sity1   
/&s out z at bottom a patriotic ,roman (
 sub/antial hone/y1 :o gave 8 life to   
*eck ! inevitable fall ( ! commonweal?  
to :i* he 0 devot$4 ,! evils :i* 7      
und]m9+ ! ,republic be> s _m /rik+      
resemblances to ^? :i* ?reat5 ! civic & 
national life ( ,am]ica to-day t !      
int]e/ ( ! p]iod is by no means m]ely   
hi/orical4  ,z a philosoph]1 ,cic]o's   
mo/ important function 0 to make 8      
c\ntrym5 famili> ) ! ma9 s*ools ( ,greek
 ?\ght4 ,mu* ( ?is writ+ is ?us (       
second>y int]e/ to u 9 comp>ison ) 8    
orig9als1 b 9 ! fields ( religi\s !ory &
 ( ! application ( philosophy to life he
 made important fir/-h& contributions4  
,f ^! works h be5 select$ ! two         
treatises1 on ,old ,age & on ,fri5d%ip1 
:i* h prov$ ( mo/ p]man5t & widespread  
int]e/ to po/]ity1 & :i* give a cle>    
impression ( ! way 9 :i* a high-m9d$    
,roman ?\ght ab\t "s ( ! ma9 problems ( 

human life4     ,,on ,,fri5d%ip   ,,!   
augur ,qu9tus ,mucius ,scaevola us$ to  
rec\nt a numb] ( /ories ab\t 8          
fa!r-9-law ,galus ,laelius1 accurately  
rememb]$ & *>m+ly told2 & :5ev] he talk$
 ab\t him always gave him ! title ( !   
wise )\t any hesitation4 ,i _h be5      
introduc$ by my fa!r to ,scaevola z soon
 z ,i _h assum$ ! toga virilis1 & ,i    
took advantage ( ! introduction nev] to 
quit ! v5]able man's side z long z ,i 0 
able to /ay & he 0 sp>$ to u4 ,!        
consequ5ce 0 t ,i committ$ to memory _m 
disquisitions ( 81 z well z _m %ort     
po9t$ apoph!gms1 &1 9 %ort1 took z mu*  
advantage ( 8 wisdom z ,i c\ld4 ,:5 he  
di$1 ,i atta*$ myself to ,scaevola !    
,pontifex1 :om ,i may v5ture to call q !
 mo/ di/+ui%$ ( our c\ntrym5 = ability &
 uprightness4 ,b ( ?is latt] ,i %all    
take o!r occasions to speak4 ,to return 
to ,scaevola ! augur4 ,among _m o!r     
occasions ,i p>ticul>ly rememb] "o4 ,he 
0 sitt+ on a semicircul> g>d5-b5*1 z 0 8
 cu/om1 :5 ,i & a v few intimate fri5ds 

7 !re1 & he *anc$ to turn ! conv]sation 
^u a subject :i* ab\t t "t 0 9 _m p's   
m\?s4 ,y mu/ rememb]1 ,atticus1 = y 7 v 
intimate ) ,publius ,sulpicius1 :at     
expressions ( a/oni%m5t1 or ev5         
indignation1 7 call$ =? by 8 mortal     
qu>rel1 z tribune1 ) ! consul ,qu9tus   
,pompeius1 ) :om he _h =m]ly liv$ on    
t]ms ( ! close/ intimacy & affection4   
,well1 on ?is occasion1 happ5+ to m5tion
 ?is p>ticul> circum/ance1 ,scaevola    
detail$ to u a disc\rse ( ,laelius on   
fri5d%ip deliv]$ to himself & ,laelius's
 o!r son-9-law ,galus ,fannius1 son (   
,m>cus ,fannius1 a few days aft] ! dea? 
( ,africanus4 ,! po9ts ( t discussion ,i
 committ$ to memory1 & h arrang$ !m 9   
?is book at my own discretion4 ,= ,i h  
br\ght ! speak]s1 z x 71 p]sonally on to
 my /age to prev5t ! con/ant said ,i &  
said he ( a n>rative1 & to give !       
disc\rse ! air ( be+ orally deliv]$ 9   
our he>+4  ,y h (t5 urg$ me to write    
some?+ on ,fri5d%ip1 & ,i q ackn[l$g$ t 
! subject seem$ "o wor? ev]ybody's      

inve/igation1 & specially suit$ to !    
close intimacy t has exi/$ betwe5 y &   
me4 ,accord+ly ,i 0 q ready to b5efit ! 
public at y\r reque/4  ,z to ! dramatis 
p]sonae4 ,9 ! treatise on ,old ,age1 :i*
 ,i d$icat$ to y1 ,i introduc$ ,cato z  
*ief speak]4 ,no "o1 ,i ?\ght1 c\ld )   
great] propriety speak on old age ?an "o
 :o _h be5 an old man long] ?an any "o  
else1 & _h be5 exceptionally vigor\s 9 8
 old age4 ,simil>ly1 hav+ le>nt f       
tradition t ( all fri5d%ips t betwe5    
,gaius ,laelius & ,publius ,scipio 0 !  
mo/ rem>kable1 ,i ?\ght ,laelius 0 j !  
p]son to support ! *ief "p 9 a          
discussion on fri5d%ip :i* ,scaevola    
rememb]$ him to h actually tak54        
,moreov]1 a discussion ( ?is sort ga9s  
someh[ 9 weight f ! au?ority ( m5 (     
anci5t days1 especially if !y happ5 to h
 be5 di/+ui%$4 ,s x comes ab\t t 9 read+
 ov] :at ,i h myself writt5 ,i h a feel+
 at times t x is actually ,cato t is    
speak+1 n ,i4  ,f9ally1 z ,i s5t ! =m]  
essay to y z a gift f "o old man to     

ano!r1 s ,i h d$icat$ ?is ,on ,fri5d%ip 
z a mo/ affectionate fri5d to 8 fri5d4  
,9 ! =m] ,cato spoke1 :o 0 ! olde/ &    
wise/ man ( 8 day2 9 ?is ,laelius speaks
 on fri5d%ip--,laelius1 :o 0 at once a  
wise man 7t 0 ! title giv5 him7 & em95t 
= 8 fam\s fri5d%ip4 ,please =get me = a 
:ile2 imag9e ,laelius to be speak+4     
,gaius ,fannius & ,qu9tus ,mucius come  
to call on _! fa!r-9-law aft] ! dea? (  
,africanus4 ,!y />t ! subject2 ,laelius 
answ]s !m4 ,& ! :ole essay on fri5d%ip  
is 84 ,9 read+ x y w recognise a picture
 ( y\rself4  #b4 ,fannius4 ,y are q "r1 
,laelius6 !re nev] 0 a bett] or m       
illu/ri\s "* ?an ,africanus4 ,b y %\ld  
consid] t at ! pres5t mom5t all eyes are
 on y4 ,ev]ybody calls y ! wise p>      
excell5ce1 & ?9ks y s4 ,! same m>k (    
respect 0 lately paid ,cato1 & we "k t 9
 ! la/ g5]ation ,lucius ,atilius 0 call$
 ! wise4 ,b 9 bo? cases ! ^w 0 appli$ ) 
a c]ta9 diff]5ce4 ,atilius 0 s call$ f 8
 reputation z a juri/2 ,cato got ! "n z 
a k9d ( honor>y title & 9 extreme old   

age because ( 8 v>i$ exp]i5ce ( affairs1
 & 8 reputation = =esight & firmness1 & 
! sagacity ( ! op9ions :i* he deliv]$ 9 
s5ate & =um4 ,y1 h[ev]1 are reg>d$ z    
wise 9 a some:at diff]5t s5se n alone on
 acc\nt ( natural ability & "*1 b also f
 y\r indu/ry & le>n+2 & n 9 ! s5se 9 :i*
 ! vulg>1 b t 9 :i* s*ol>s1 give t      
title4 ,9 ?is s5se we d n read ( any "o 
be+ call$ wise 9 ,greece except "o man  
at ,a!ns2 & he1 to be sure1 _h be5      
decl>$ by ! oracle ( ,apollo also to be 
! supremely wise man4 ,= ^? :o commonly 
g by ! "n ( ! ,sev5 ,sages are n admitt$
 into ! category ( ! wise by fa/idi\s   
critics4 ,y\r wisdom p believe to consi/
 9 ?is1 t y look ^u y\rself z           
self-suffic+ & reg>d ! *anges & *ances (
 mortal life z p[]less to affect y\r    
virtue4 ,accord+ly !y are always ask+   
me1 & d\btless also our ,scaevola "h1 h[
 y be> ! dea? ( ,africanus4 ,?is        
curiosity has be5 ! m excit$ f ! fact t 
on ! ,nones ( ?is mon?1 :5 we augurs met
 z usual 9 ! suburban villa ( ,decimus  

,brutus = consultation1 y 7 n pres5t1   
?\gh x _h always be5 y\r habit to keep t
 appo9tm5t & p]=m t duty ) ! utmo/      
punctuality4  ,scaevola4 ,yes1 inde$1   
,laelius1 ,i am (t5 ask$ ! "q m5tion$ by
 ,fannius4 ,b ,i answ] 9 accordance )   
:at ,i h obs]v$3 ,i say t y be> 9 a     
reasonable mann] ! grief :i* y h su/a9$ 
9 ! dea? ( "o :o 0 at once a man ( ! mo/
 illu/ri\s "* & a v de> fri5d4 ,t (     
c\rse y c\ld n b be affect$--any?+ else 
w\ld h be5 :olly unnatural 9 a man ( y\r
 g5tle nature--b t ! cause ( y\r        
non-att5dance at our college meet+ 0    
illness1 n melan*oly4  ,laelius4 ,?anks1
 ,scaevola6 ,y are q "r2 y spoke ! exact
 tru?4 ,= 9 fact ,i _h no "r to all[    
myself to be )drawn f a duty :i* ,i _h  
regul>ly p]=m$1 z long z ,i 0 well1 by  
any p]sonal mis=tune2 nor d ,i ?9k t    
any?+ t c happ5 w cause a man ( pr9ciple
 to int]mit a duty4 ,z = y\r tell+ me1  
,fannius1 ( ! hon\rable appellation giv5
 me 7an appellation to :i* ,i d n       
recognise my title1 & to :i* ,i make no 

claim71 y d\btless act f feel+s (       
affection2 b ,i mu/ say t y seem to me  
to d less ?an ju/ice to ,cato4 ,if any  
"o 0 ev] wise1--( :i* ,i h my d\bts1--he
 04 ,putt+ aside ev]y?+ else1 consid] h[
 he bore 8 son's dea?6 ,i _h n =gott5   
,paulus2 ,i _h se5 ) my own eyes        
,gallus4 ,b !y lo/ _! sons :5 m]e       
*ildr52 ,cato 8 :5 he 0 a full-gr[n man 
) an assur$ reputation4 ,d n !re=e be 9 
a hurry to reckon z ,cato's sup]ior ev5 
t same fam\s p]sonage :om ,apollo1 z y  
say1 decl>$ to be ! wise/4 ,rememb] !   
=m]'s reputation re/s on de$s1 ! latt]'s
 on words4  #c4 ,n[1 z f> z ,i am       
conc]n$ 7,i speak to bo? ( y n[71       
believe me ! case /&s ?us4 ,if ,i 7 to  
say t ,i am n affect$ by regret =       
,scipio1 ,i mu/ leave ! philosoph]s to  
ju/ify my conduct1 b 9 po9t ( fact ,i   
%\ld be tell+ a lie4 ,affect$ ( c\rse ,i
 am by ! loss ( a fri5d z ,i ?9k !re w  
nev] be aga91 su* z ,i c fe>lessly say  
!re nev] 0 be=e4 ,b ,i /& 9 no ne$ (    
m$ic9e4 ,i c f9d my own consolation1 & x

 consi/s *iefly 9 my be+ free f ! mi/ak5
 notion :i* g5]ally causes pa9 at !     
dep>ture ( fri5ds4 ,to ,scipio ,i am    
conv9c$ no evil has befall53 m9e is !   
disa/]1 if disa/] !re be2 & to be       
sev]ely di/ress$ at "o's own mis=tunes  
does n %[ t y love y\r fri5d1 b t y love
 y\rself4  ,z = him1 :o c say t all is n
 m ?an well8 ,=1 unless he _h tak5 !    
fancy to wi% = immortality1 ! la/ ?+ (  
:i* he ev] ?\ght1 :at is !re = :i*      
mortal man may wi% t he did n atta98 ,9 
8 e>ly manhood he m ?an ju/ifi$ by      
extraord9>y p]sonal c\rage ! hopes :i* 8
 fell[-citiz5s _h conceiv$ ( him z a    
*ild4 ,he nev] 0 a c&idate = !          
consul%ip1 yet 0 elect$ consul twice3 ! 
fir/ "t be=e ! legal age2 ! second at a 
"t :i*1 z f> z he 0 conc]n$1 0 soon     
en\gh1 b 0 ne> be+ too late = ! int]e/s 
( ! ,/ate4 ,by ! ov]?r[ ( two cities :i*
 7 ! mo/ bitt] enemies ( our ,empire1 he
 put an end n only to ! w>s !n rag+1 b  
also to ! possibility ( o!rs 9 ! future4
 ,:at ne$ to m5tion ! exquisite grace ( 

8 mann]s1 8 dutiful devotion to 8 "m1 8 
g5]osity to 8 si/]s1 8 lib]ality to 8   
relations1 ! integrity ( 8 conduct to e 
"o8 ,y "k all ?is already4 ,f9ally1 !   
e/imation 9 :i* 8 fell[-citiz5s held him
 has be5 %[n by ! signs ( m\rn+ :i*     
accompani$ 8 obsequies4 ,:at c\ld su* a 
man h ga9$ by ! addition ( a few ye>s8  
,?\gh age ne$ n be a burd51--z ,i       
rememb] ,cato argu+ 9 ! pres5ce ( myself
 & ,scipio two ye>s be=e he di$1--yet x 
_c b take away ! vig\r & fre%ness :i*   
,scipio 0 /ill enjoy+4 ,we may conclude 
!re=e t 8 life1 f ! good =tune :i* _h   
att5d$ him & ! glory he _h obta9$1 0 s  
circum/anc$ t x c\ld n be bett]$1 :ile !
 sudd5ness ( 8 dea? sav$ him ! s5sation 
( dy+4 ,z to ! mann] ( 8 dea? x is      
difficult to speak2 y see :at p suspect4
 ,?us mu*1 h[ev]1 ,i may say3 ,scipio 9 
8 lifetime saw _m days ( supreme triumph
 & exultation1 b none m magnific5t ?an 8
 la/1 on :i*1 ^u ! ris+ ( ! ,s5ate1 he 0
 escort$ by ! s5ators & ! p ( ,rome1 by 
! allies1 & by ! ,lat9s1 to 8 own door4 

,f su* an elevation ( popul> e/eem !    
next /ep seems naturally to be an asc5t 
to ! gods above1 r ?an a desc5t to      
,hades4  #d4 ,= ,i am n "o ( ^! mod]n   
philosoph]s :o ma9ta9 t our s\ls p]i% ) 
our bodies1 & t dea? ends all4 ,) me    
anci5t op9ion has m weight3 :e!r x be t 
( our own ance/ors1 :o attribut$ su*    
solemn obs]vances to ! dead1 z !y pla9ly
 w\ld n h done if !y _h believ$ !m to be
 :olly annihilat$2 or t ( ! philosoph]s 
:o once visit$ ?is c\ntry1 & :o by _!   
maxims & doctr9es educat$ ,magna        
,graecia1 :i* at t "t 0 9 a fl\ri%+     
condition1 ?\gh x has n[ be5 ru9$2 or t 
( ! man :o 0 decl>$ by ,apollo's oracle 
to be mo/ wise1 & :o us$ to tea* )\t !  
v>iation :i* is to be f\nd 9 mo/        
philosoph]s t ! s\ls ( m5 are div9e1 & t
 :5 !y h quitt$ ! body a return to heav5
 is op5 to !m1 lea/ difficult to ^? :o h
 be5 mo/ virtu\s & j4 ,?is op9ion 0 %>$ 
by ,scipio4 ,only a few days be=e 8     
dea?--z ?\gh he _h a pres5tim5t ( :at 0 
com+--he disc\rs$ = ?ree days on ! /ate 

( ! republic4 ,! company consi/$ (      
,philus & ,manlius & sev]al o!rs1 & ,i  
_h br\ght y1 ,scaevola1 along ) me4 ,!  
la/ "p ( 8 disc\rse ref]r$ pr9cipally to
 ! immortality ( ! s\l2 = he told u :at 
he _h he>d f ! eld] ,africanus 9 a      
dream4 ,n[ if x be true t 9 proportion  
to a man's goodness ! escape f :at may  
be call$ ! prison & bonds ( ! fle% is   
easie/1 :om c we imag9e to h _h an easi]
 voyage to ! gods ?an ,scipio8 ,i am    
dispos$ to ?9k1 !re=e1 t 9 8 case m\rn+ 
w\ld be a sign ( envy r ?an ( fri5d%ip4 
,if1 h[ev]1 ! tru? r is t ! body & s\l  
p]i% toge!r1 & t no s5sation rema9s1 !n 
?\gh !re is no?+ good 9 dea?1 at lea/   
!re is no?+ bad4 ,remove s5sation1 & a  
man is exactly z ?\gh he _h nev] be5    
born2 & yet t ?is man 0 born is a joy to
 me1 & w be a subject ( rejoic+ to ?is  
,/ate to its la/ h\r4  ,:]e=e1 z ,i said
 be=e1 all is z well z possible ) him4  
,n s ) me2 = z ,i ent]$ life be=e him1 x
 w\ld h be5 fair] = me to leave x also  
be=e him4 ,yet su* is ! pleasure ,i take

 9 recall+ our fri5d%ip1 t ,i look ^u my
 life z hav+ be5 a happy "o because ,i h
 sp5t x ) ,scipio4 ,) him ,i 0 associat$
 9 public & private bus9ess2 ) him ,i   
liv$ 9 ,rome & s]v$ abroad2 & betwe5 u  
!re 0 ! mo/ complete h>mony 9 our ta/es1
 our pursuits1 & our s5tim5ts1 :i* is ! 
true secret ( fri5d%ip4 ,x is n !re=e 9 
t reputation = wisdom m5tion$ j n[ by   
,fannius--especially z x happ5s to be   
gr\ndless--t ,i f9d my happ9ess s mu*1 z
 9 ! hope t ! memory ( our fri5d%ip w be
 la/+4 ,:at makes me c>e ! m ab\t ?is is
 ! fact t 9 all hi/ory !re are sc>cely  
?ree or f\r pairs ( fri5ds on record2 & 
x is class$ ) !m t ,i *]i% a hope ( !   
fri5d%ip ( ,scipio & ,laelius be+ kn[n  
to po/]ity4  ,fannius4 ,( c\rse t mu/ be
 s1 ,laelius4 ,b s9ce y h m5tion$ ! ^w  
fri5d%ip1 & we are at leisure1 y w\ld be
 do+ me a great k9dness1 & ,i expect    
,scaevola also1 if y w\ld d z x is y\r  
habit to d :5 ask$ que/ions on o!r      
subjects1 & tell u y\r s5tim5ts ab\t    
fri5d%ip1 its nature1 & ! rules to be   

obs]v$ 9 reg>d to x4  ,scaevola4 ,i %all
 ( c\rse be delight$4 ,fannius has      
anticipat$ ! v reque/ ,i 0 ab\t to make4
 ,s y w be do+ u bo? a great fav\r4  #e4
 ,laelius4 ,i %\ld c]ta9ly h no         
objection if ,i felt confid5ce 9 myself4
 ,= ! !me is a noble "o1 & we are 7z    
,fannius has said7 at leisure4 ,b :o am 
,i8 & :at ability h ,i8 ,:at y propose  
is all v well = pr(essional philosoph]s1
 :o are us$1 p>ticul>ly if ,greeks1 to h
 ! subject = discussion propos$ to !m on
 ! spur ( ! mom5t4 ,x is a task (       
consid]able difficulty1 & requires no   
little practice4 ,!re=e = a set disc\rse
 on fri5d%ip y mu/ g1 ,i ?9k1 to        
pr(essional lectur]s4 ,all ,i c d is to 
urge on y to reg>d fri5d%ip z ! greate/ 
?+ 9 ! _w2 = !re is no?+ :i* s fits 9 ) 
our nature1 or is s exactly :at we want 
9 prosp]ity or adv]sity4  ,b ,i mu/ at !
 v beg9n+ lay d[n ?is pr9ciple--fri5d%ip
 c only exi/ betwe5 good m54 ,i d n1    
h[ev]1 press ?is too closely1 l !       
philosoph]s :o pu% _! def9itions to a   

sup]flu\s accuracy4 ,!y h tru? on _!    
side1 p]haps1 b x is ( no practical     
advantage4 ,^?1 ,i mean1 :o say t no "o 
b ! wise is good4 ,grant$1 by all means4
 ,b ! wisdom !y mean is "o to :i* no    
mortal ev] yet atta9$4 ,we mu/ conc]n   
ourselves ) ! facts ( ev]yday life z we 
f9d x--n imag9>y & ideal p]fections4    
,ev5 ,gaius ,fannius1 ,manius ,curius1 &
 ,tib]ius ,coruncanius1 :om our ance/ors
 decid$ to be wise1 ,i c\ld nev] decl>e 
to be s accord+ to _! /&>d4 ,let !m1 !n1
 keep ?is ^w wisdom to !mselves4        
,ev]ybody is irritat$ by x2 no "o       
und]/&s :at x means4 ,let !m b grant t !
 m5 ,i m5tion$ 7 good4 ,no1 !y won't d t
 ei!r4 ,no "o b ! wise c be all[$ t     
title1 say !y4 ,well1 !n1 let u dismiss 
!m & manage z be/ we may ) our own poor 
"m wit1 z ! phrase is4  ,we mean !n by !
 good ^? ^: actions & lives leave no "q 
z to _! hon\r1 purity1 equity1 &        
lib]ality2 :o are free f gre$1 lu/1 &   
viol5ce2 & :o h ! c\rage ( _!           
convictions4 ,! m5 ,i h j nam$ may s]ve 

z examples4 ,su* m5 z ^! be+ g5]ally    
acc\nt$ good1 let u agree to call !m s1 
on ! gr\nd t to ! be/ ( human ability !y
 foll[ nature z ! mo/ p]fect guide to a 
good life4  ,n[ ?is tru? seems cle> to  
me1 t nature has s =m$ u t a c]ta9 tie  
unites u all1 b t ?is tie becomes /rong]
 f proximity4 ,s x is t fell[-citiz5s   
are pref]r$ 9 our affections to =eign]s1
 relations to /rang]s2 = 9 _! case      
,nature h]self has caus$ a k9d (        
fri5d%ip to exi/1 ?\gh x is "o :i* lacks
 "s ( ! elem5ts ( p]man5ce4 ,fri5d%ip   
excels relation%ip 9 ?is1 t :]eas y may 
elim9ate affection f relation%ip1 y _c d
 s f fri5d%ip4 ,)\t x relation%ip /ill  
exi/s 9 "n1 fri5d%ip does n4 ,y may be/ 
und]/& ?is fri5d%ip by consid]+ t1 :]eas
 ! m]ely natural ties unit+ ! human race
 are indef9ite1 ?is "o is s conc5trat$1 
& conf9$ to s n>r[ a sph]e1 t affection 
is ev] %>$ by two p]sons only or at mo/ 
by a few4  #f4 ,n[ fri5d%ip may be ?us  
def9$3 a complete accord on all subjects
 human & div9e1 jo9$ ) mutual goodwill &

 affection4 ,& ) ! exception ( wisdom1  
,i am incl9$ to ?9k no?+ bett] ?an ?is  
has be5 giv5 to man by ! immortal gods4 
,!re are p :o give ! palm to ri*es or to
 good heal?1 or to p[] & (fice1 _m ev5  
to s5sual pleasures4 ,?is la/ is ! ideal
 ( brute bea/s2 & ( ! o!rs we may say t 
!y are frail & unc]ta91 & dep5d less on 
our own prud5ce ?an on ! caprice (      
=tune4 ,!n !re are ^? :o f9d ! *ief good
 9 virtue4 ,well1 t is a noble doctr9e4 
,b ! v virtue !y talk ( is ! p>5t &     
pres]v] ( fri5d%ip1 & )\t x fri5d%ip _c 
possibly exi/4  ,let u1 ,i repeat1 use !
 ^w virtue 9 ! ord9>y acceptation &     
mean+ ( ! t]m1 & d n let u def9e x 9    
high-fl[n language4 ,let u acc\nt z good
 ! p]sons usually consid]$ s1 su* z     
,paulus1 ,cato1 ,gallus1 ,scipio1 &     
,philus4 ,su* m5 z ^! are good en\gh =  
ev]yday life2 & we ne$ n tr\ble         
ourselves ab\t ^? ideal *>act]s :i* are 
n[h]e to be met )4  ,well1 betwe5 m5 l  
^! ! advantages ( fri5d%ip are almo/ m  
?an ,i c say4 ,to beg9 )1 h[ c life be  

wor? liv+1 to use ! words ( ,ennius1 :i*
 lacks t repose :i* is to be f\nd 9 !   
mutual good-w ( a fri5d8 ,:at c be m    
delightful ?an to h "s "o to :om y c say
 ev]y?+ ) ! same absolute confid5ce z to
 y\rself8 ,is n prosp]ity robb$ ( half  
its value if y h no "o to %>e y\r joy8  
,on ! o!r h&1 mis=tunes w\ld be h>d to  
be> if !re 7 n "s "o to feel !m ev5 m   
acutely ?an y\rself4 ,9 a ^w1 o!r       
objects ( ambition s]ve = p>ticul>      
ends--ri*es = use1 p[] = secur+ homage1 
(fice = reputation1 pleasure = enjoym5t1
 heal? = fre$om f pa9 & ! full use ( !  
functions ( ! body4 ,b fri5d%ip embraces
 innum]able advantages4 ,turn :i* way y 
please1 y w f9d x at h&4 ,x is ev]y:]e2 
& yet nev] out ( place1 nev] unwelcome4 
,fire & wat] !mselves1 to use a common  
expression1 are n ( m univ]sal use ?an  
fri5d%ip4 ,i am n n[ speak+ ( ! common  
or modifi$ =m ( x1 ?\gh ev5 t is a s\rce
 ( pleasure & pr(it1 b ( t true &       
complete fri5d%ip :i* exi/$ betwe5 !    
select few :o are kn[n to fame4 ,su*    

fri5d%ip enhances prosp]ity1 & relieves 
adv]sity ( its burd5 by halv+ & %>+ x4  
#g4 ,& great & num]\s z are ! bless+s ( 
fri5d%ip1 ?is c]ta9ly is ! sov]eign "o1 
t x gives u bright hopes = ! future &   
=bids weakness & despair4 ,9 ! face ( a 
true fri5d a man sees z x 7 a second    
self4 ,s t :]e 8 fri5d is he is2 if 8   
fri5d be ri*1 he is n poor2 ?\gh he be  
weak1 8 fri5d's /r5g? is 82 & 9 8       
fri5d's life he enjoys a second life    
aft] 8 own is f9i%$4 ,?is la/ is p]haps 
! mo/ difficult to conceive4 ,b su* is !
 effect ( ! respect1 ! lov+ remembrance1
 & ! regret ( fri5ds :i* foll[ u to !   
grave4 ,:ile !y take ! /+ out ( dea?1 !y
 add a glory to ! life ( ! survivors4   
,nay1 if y elim9ate f nature ! tie (    
affection1 !re w be an end ( h\se &     
city1 nor w s mu* z ! cultivation ( !   
soil be left4 ,if y don't see ! virtue (
 fri5d%ip & h>mony1 y may le>n x by     
obs]v+ ! effects ( qu>rels & feuds4 ,0  
any family ev] s well e/abli%$1 any     
,/ate s firmly settl$1 z to be beyond ! 

rea* ( utt] de/ruction f animosities &  
factions8 ,?is may tea* y ! imm5se      
advantage ( fri5d%ip4  ,!y say t a c]ta9
 philosoph] ( ,agrig5tum1 9 a ,greek    
poem1 pron\nc$ ) ! au?ority ( an oracle 
! doctr9e t :atev] 9 nature & ! univ]se 
0 un*angeable 0 s 9 virtue ( ! b9d+ =ce 
( fri5d%ip2 :atev] 0 *angeable 0 s by ! 
solv5t p[] ( discord4 ,& inde$ ?is is a 
tru? :i* ev]ybody und]/&s & practically 
atte/s by exp]i5ce4 ,= if any m>k$      
in/ance ( loyal fri5d%ip 9 confront+ or 
%>+ dang] comes to light1 e "o applauds 
x to ! e*o4 ,:at *e]s !re 71 = in/ance1 
all ov] ! !atre at a passage 9 ! new    
play ( my fri5d & gue/ ,pacuvius2 :]e ! 
k+1 n kn[+ :i* ( ! two 0 ,ore/es1       
,pylades decl>$ himself to be ,ore/es1 t
 he might die 9 8 /ead1 :ile ! real     
,ore/es kept on ass]t+ t x 0 he4 ,!     
audi5ce rose en masse & clapp$ _! h&s4  
,& ?is 0 at an incid5t 9 fiction3 :at   
w\ld !y h done1 mu/ we suppose1 if x _h 
be5 9 real life8 ,y c easily see :at a  
natural feel+ x is1 :5 m5 :o w\ld n h _h

 ! resolution to act ?us !mselves1 %ew$ 
h[ "r !y ?\ght x 9 ano!r4  ,i don't ?9k 
,i h any m to say ab\t fri5d%ip4 ,if !re
 is any m1 & ,i h no d\bt !re is mu*1 y 
mu/1 if y c>e to d s1 consult ^? :o     
pr(ess to discuss su* matt]s4  ,fannius4
 ,we w\ld r apply to y4 ,yet ,i h (t5   
consult$ su* p]sons1 & h he>d :at !y _h 
to say ) a c]ta9 satisfaction4 ,b 9 y\r 
disc\rse "o someh[ feels t !re is a     
diff]5t /ra94  ,scaevola4 ,y w\ld h said
 t /ill m1 ,fannius1 if y _h be5 pres5t 
! o!r day 9 ,scipio's pleasure-gr\nds :5
 we _h ! discussion ab\t ! ,/ate4 ,h[   
spl5didly he /ood up = ju/ice aga9/     
,philus's elaborate spee*4  ,fannius4   
,ah6 x 0 naturally easy = ! ju/e/ ( m5  
to /& up = ju/ice4  ,scaevola4 ,well1   
!n1 :at ab\t fri5d%ip8 ,:o c\ld disc\rse
 on x m easily ?an ! man ^: *ief glory  
is a fri5d%ip ma9ta9$ ) ! mo/ absolute  
fidelity1 con/ancy1 & integrity8  #h4   
,laclius4 ,n[ y are really us+ =ce4 ,x  
makes no diff]5ce :at k9d ( =ce y use3  
=ce x is4 ,= x is nei!r easy nor "r to  

refuse a wi% ( my sons-9-law1 p>ticul>ly
 :5 ! wi% is a cr$itable "o 9 itself4   
,well1 !n1 x has v (t5 occurr$ to me :5 
?9k+ ab\t fri5d%ip1 t ! *ief po9t to be 
consid]$ 0 ?is3 is x weakness & want (  
means t make fri5d%ip desir$8 ,i mean1  
is its object an int]*ange ( good       
(fices1 s t ea* may give t 9 :i* he is  
/rong1 & receive t 9 :i* he is weak8 ,or
 is x n r true t1 al?\gh ?is is an      
advantage naturally belong+ to fri5d%ip1
 yet its orig9al cause is q o!r1 prior 9
 "t1 m noble 9 "*1 & spr++ m directly f 
our nature itself8 ,! ,lat9 ^w =        
fri5d%ip--amicitia--is d]iv$ f t =      
love--amor2 & love is c]ta9ly ! prime   
mov] 9 contract+ mutual affection4 ,= z 
to mat]ial advantages1 x (t5 happ5s t ^?
 are obta9$ ev5 by m5 :o are c\rt$ by a 
m]e %[ ( fri5d%ip & treat$ ) respect f  
int]e/$ motives4 ,b fri5d%ip by its     
nature admits ( no feign+1 no pret5ce3 z
 f> z x goes x is bo? g5u9e &           
spontane\s4 ,!re=e ,i ga!r t fri5d%ip   
spr+s f a natural impulse r ?an a wi% = 

help3 f an incl9ation ( ! he>t1 comb9$ )
 a c]ta9 in/9ctive feel+ ( love1 r ?an f
 a delib]ate calculation ( ! mat]ial    
advantage x 0 likely to conf]4 ,! /r5g? 
( ?is feel+ y may notice 9 c]ta9        
animals4 ,!y %[ su* love to _! (fspr+ = 
a c]ta9 p]iod1 & are s belov$ by !m1 t  
!y cle>ly h a %>e 9 ?is natural1        
in/9ctive affection4 ,b ( c\rse x is m  
evid5t 9 ! case ( man3 fir/1 9 ! natural
 affection betwe5 *ildr5 & _! p>5ts1 an 
affection :i* only %ock+ wick$ness c    
sund]2 & next1 :5 ! passion ( love has  
atta9$ to a l /r5g?--on our f9d+1 t is1 
"s "o p]son ) ^: "* & nature we are 9   
full sympa?y1 because we ?9k t we       
p]ceive 9 him :at ,i may call !         
beacon-light ( virtue4 ,= no?+ inspires 
love1 no?+ conciliates affection1 l     
virtue4 ,:y1 9 a c]ta9 s5se we may be   
said to feel affection ev5 = m5 we h    
nev] se51 ow+ to _! hone/y & virtue4    
,:o1 = in/ance1 fails to dwell on !     
memory ( ,gaius ,fabricius & ,manius    
,curius ) "s affection & w>m? ( feel+1  

?\gh he has nev] se5 !m8 ,or :o b loa!s 
,t>qu9ius ,sup]bus1 ,spurius ,cassius1  
,spurius ,maelius8 ,we h f\ght = empire 
9 ,italy ) two great g5]als1 ,pyrrhus & 
,hannibal4 ,= ! =m]1 ow+ to 8 probity1  
we ent]ta9 no great feel+s ( enmity3 !  
latt]1 ow+ to 8 cruelty1 our c\ntry has 
dete/$ & always w dete/4  #i4 ,n[1 if ! 
attraction ( probity is s great t we c  
love x n only 9 ^? :om we h nev] se51 b1
 :at is m1 actually 9 an enemy1 we ne$ n
 be surpris$ if m5's affections are r\s$
 :5 !y fancy t !y h se5 virtue &        
goodness 9 ^? ) :om a close intimacy is 
possible4 ,i d n d5y t affection is     
/r5g!n$ by ! actual receipt ( b5efits1 z
 well z by ! p]ception ( a wi% to r5d]  
s]vice1 comb9$ ) a clos] int]c\rse4 ,:5 
^! are add$ to ! orig9al impulse ( !    
he>t1 to :i* ,i h allud$1 a q surpris+  
w>m? ( feel+ spr+s up4 ,& if any "o ?9ks
 t ?is comes f a s5se ( weakness1 t ea* 
may h "s "o to help him to 8 p>ticul>   
ne$1 all ,i c say is t1 :5 he ma9ta9s x 
to be born ( want & pov]ty1 he all[s to 

fri5d%ip an orig9 v base1 & a p$igree1  
if ,i may be all[$ ! expression1 f> f   
noble4 ,if ?is _h be5 ! case1 a man's   
incl9ation to fri5d%ip w\ld be exactly 9
 proportion to 8 l[ op9ion ( 8 own      
res\rces4 ,:]eas ! tru? is q ! o!r way4 
,= :5 a man's confid5ce 9 himself is    
greate/1 :5 he is s =tifi$ by virtue &  
wisdom z to want no?+ & to feel         
absolutely self-dep5d5t1 x is !n t he is
 mo/ conspicu\s = seek+ out & keep+ up  
fri5d%ips4 ,did ,africanus1 = example1  
want any?+ ( me8 ,n ! lea/ 9 ! _w6      
,nei!r did ,i ( him4 ,9 my case x 0 an  
admiration ( 8 virtue1 9 8 an op9ion1   
may be1 :i* he ent]ta9$ ( my "*1 t caus$
 our affection4 ,clos] intimacy add$ to 
! w>m? ( our feel+s4 ,b ?\gh _m great   
mat]ial advantages did ensue1 !y 7 n !  
s\rce f :i* our affection proce$$4 ,= z 
we are n b5efic5t & lib]al ) any view ( 
extort+ gratitude1 & d n reg>d an act ( 
k9dness z an inve/m5t1 b foll[ a natural
 incl9ation to lib]ality2 s we look on  
fri5d%ip z wor? try+ =1 n because we are

 attract$ to x by ! expectation (       
ult]ior ga91 b 9 ! conviction t :at x   
has to give u is f fir/ to la/ includ$ 9
 ! feel+ itself4  ,f> diff]5t is ! view 
( ^? :o1 l brute bea/s1 ref] ev]y?+ to  
s5sual pleasure4 ,& no wond]4 ,m5 :o h  
degrad$ all _! p[]s ( ?\ght to an object
 s mean & contemptible c ( c\rse raise  
_! eyes to no?+ l(ty1 to no?+ gr& &     
div9e4 ,su* p]sons inde$ let u leave out
 ( ! pres5t "q4 ,& let u accept !       
doctr9e t ! s5sation ( love & ! w>m? (  
incl9ation h _! orig9 9 a spontane\s    
feel+ :i* arises directly ! pres5ce (   
probity is indicat$4 ,:5 once m5 h      
conceiv$ ! incl9ation1 !y ( c\rse try to
 atta* !mselves to ! object ( x1 & move 
!mselves ne>] & ne>] to him4 ,_! aim is 
t !y may be on ! same foot+ & ! same    
level 9 reg>d to affection1 & be m      
incl9$ to d a good s]vice ?an to ask a  
return1 & t !re %\ld be ?is noble       
rivalry betwe5 !m4 ,?us bo? tru?s w be  
e/abli%$4 ,we %all get ! mo/ important  
mat]ial advantages f fri5d%ip2 & its    

orig9 f a natural impulse r ?an f a s5se
 ( ne$ w be at once m dignifi$ & m 9    
accordance ) fact4 ,= if x 7 true t its 
mat]ial advantages cem5t$ fri5d%ip1 x   
w\ld be equally true t any *ange 9 !m   
w\ld dissolve x4 ,b nature be+ incapable
 ( *ange1 x foll[s t g5u9e fri5d%ips are
 et]nal4  ,s mu* = ! orig9 ( fri5d%ip4  
,b p]haps y w\ld n c>e to he> any m4    
,fannius4 ,nay1 pray g on2 let u h !    
re/1 ,laelius4 ,i take on myself to     
speak = my fri5d "h z 8 s5ior4          
,scaevola4 ,q "r6 ,!re=e1 pray let u    
he>4  #aj4 ,loelius4 ,well1 !n1 my good 
fri5ds1 li/5 to "s conv]sations ab\t    
fri5d%ip :i* v frequ5tly pass$ betwe5   
,scipio & myself4 ,i mu/ beg9 by tell+  
y1 h[ev]1 t he us$ to say t ! mo/       
difficult ?+ 9 ! _w 0 = a fri5d%ip to   
rema9 unimpair$ to ! end ( life4 ,s _m  
?+s might int]v5e3 conflict+ int]e/s2   
diff]5ces ( op9ion 9 politics2 frequ5t  
*anges 9 "*1 ow+ sometimes to mis=tunes1
 sometimes to advanc+ ye>s4 ,he us$ to  
illu/rate ^! facts f ! analogy (        

boyhood1 s9ce ! w>me/ affections betwe5 
boys are (t5 laid aside ) ! boyi% toga2 
& ev5 if !y did manage to keep !m up to 
adolesc5ce1 !y 7 sometimes brok5 by a   
rivalry 9 c\rt%ip1 or = "s o!r advantage
 to :i* _! mutual claims 7 n compatible4
 ,ev5 if ! fri5d%ip 0 prolong$ beyond t 
"t1 yet x frequ5tly receiv$ a rude %ock 
%\ld ! two happ5 to be competitors =    
(fice4 ,= :ile ! mo/ fatal bl[ to       
fri5d%ip 9 ! majority ( cases 0 ! lu/ ( 
gold1 9 ! case ( ! be/ m5 x 0 a rivalry 
= (fice & reputation1 by :i* x _h (t5   
happ5$ t ! mo/ viol5t enmity _h aris5   
betwe5 ! close/ fri5ds4  ,aga91 wide    
brea*es &1 = ! mo/ "p1 ju/ifiable ones 7
 caus$ by an immoral reque/ be+ made (  
fri5ds1 to p&] to a man's unholy desires
 or to assi/ him 9 inflict+ a wrong4 ,a 
refusal1 ?\gh p]fectly "r1 is attack$ by
 ^? to :om !y refuse compliance z a     
violation ( ! laws ( fri5d%ip4 ,n[ ! p  
:o h no scruples z to ! reque/s !y make 
to _! fri5ds1 !reby all[ t !y are ready 
to h no scruples z to :at !y w d = _!   

fri5ds2 & x is ! recrim9ations ( su* p  
:i* commonly n only qu5* fri5d%ips1 b   
give rise to la/+ enmities4 ,9 fact1 he 
us$ to say1 ^! fatalities ov]hang       
fri5d%ip 9 su* numb]s t x requires n    
only wisdom b good luck also to escape  
!m all4  #aa4 ,) ^! premises1 !n1 let u 
fir/1 if y please1 exam9e ! "q--h[ f>   
ought p]sonal feel+ to g 9 fri5d%ip8 ,= 
in/ance3 suppose ,coriolanus to h _h    
fri5ds1 ought !y to h jo9$ him 9 invad+ 
8 c\ntry8 ,aga91 9 ! case ( ,vecell9us  
or ,spurius ,maelius1 ought _! fri5ds to
 h assi/$ !m 9 _! attempt to e/abli% a  
tyranny8 ,take two in/ances ( ei!r l9e (
 conduct4 ,:5 ,tib]ius ,grac*us attempt$
 8 revolution>y measures he 0 des]t$1 z 
we saw1 by ,qu9tus ,tub]o & ! fri5ds ( 8
 own /&+4 ,on ! o!r h&1 a fri5d ( y\r   
own family1 ,scaevola1 ,gaius ,blossius 
( ,cumae1 took a diff]5t c\rse4 ,i 0    
act+ z assessor to ! consuls ,la5as &   
,rupilius to try ! conspirators1 &      
,blossius plead$ = my p>don on ! gr\nd t
 8 reg>d = ,tib]ius ,grac*us _h be5 s   

high t he look$ ^u 8 wi%es z law4 ,ev5  
if he _h wi%$ y to set fire to !        
,capitol8 said ,i4 ,t is a ?+1 he       
repli$1 t he nev] w\ld h wi%$4 ,ah1 b if
 he _h wi%$ x8 said ,i4 ,i w\ld h obey$4
 ,! wick$ness ( su* a spee* ne$s no     
comm5t4 ,& 9 po9t ( fact he 0 z good &  
bett] ?an 8 ^w = he did n wait = ord]s 9
 ! audaci\s proce$+s ( ,tib]ius         
,grac*us1 b 0 ! head & front ( !m1 & 0 a
 lead] r ?an an abettor ( 8 madness4 ,! 
result ( 8 infatuation 0 t he fl$ to    
,asia1 t]rifi$ by ! special commission  
appo9t$ to try him1 jo9$ ! enemies ( 8  
c\ntry1 & paid a p5alty to ! republic z 
heavy z x 0 des]v$4 ,i conclude1 !n1 t !
 plea ( hav+ act$ 9 ! int]e/s ( a fri5d 
is n a valid excuse = a wrong action4   
,=1 see+ t a belief 9 a man's virtue is 
! orig9al cause ( fri5d%ip1 fri5d%ip c  
h>dly rema9 if virtue he ab&on$4 ,b if  
we decide x to be "r to grant our fri5ds
 :atev] !y wi%1 & to ask !m = :atev] we 
wi%1 p]fect wisdom mu/ be assum$ on bo? 
sides if no mis*ief is to happ54 ,b we  

_c assume ?is p]fect wisdom2 = we are   
speak+ only ( su* fri5ds z are ord9>ily 
to be met )1 :e!r we h actually se5 !m  
or h be5 told ab\t !m--m51 t is to say1 
( ev]yday life4 ,i mu/ quote "s examples
 ( su* p]sons1 tak+ c>e to select su* z 
approa* ne>e/ to our /&>d ( wisdom4 ,we 
read1 = in/ance1 t ,papus ,aemilius 0 a 
close fri5d ( ,gaius ,lusc9us4 ,hi/ory  
tells u t !y 7 twice consuls toge!r1 &  
colleagues 9 ! c5sor%ip4 ,aga91 x is on 
record t ,manius ,curius & ,tib]ius     
,coruncanius 7 on ! mo/ intimate t]ms ) 
!m & ) ea* o!r4 ,n[1 we _c ev5 suspect t
 any "o ( ^! m5 ev] ask$ ( 8 fri5d any?+
 t militat$ aga9/ 8 hon\r or 8 oa? or ! 
int]e/s ( ! republic4 ,9 ! case ( su* m5
 z ^! !re is no po9t 9 say+ t "o ( !m   
w\ld n h obta9$ su* a reque/ if he _h   
made x2 = !y 7 m5 ( ! mo/ scrupul\s     
piety1 & ! mak+ ( su* a reque/ w\ld     
involve a brea* ( religi\s obligation no
 less ?an ! grant+ x4 ,h[ev]1 x is q    
true t ,gaius ,c>bo & ,gaius ,cato did  
foll[ ,tib]ius ,grac*us2 & ?\gh 8 bro!r 

,caius ,grac*us did n d s at ! "t1 he is
 n[ ! mo/ eag] ( !m all4  #ab4 ,we may  
!n lay d[n ?is rule ( fri5d%ip--nei!r   
ask nor cons5t to d :at is wrong4 ,= !  
plea = fri5d%ip's sake is a discr$itable
 "o1 & n to be admitt$ = a mom5t4 ,?is  
rule holds good = all wrong-do+1 b m    
especially 9 su* z involves disloyalty  
to ! republic4 ,= ?+s h come to su* a   
po9t ) u1 my de> ,fannius & ,scaevola1 t
 we are b\nd to look some:at f> ahead to
 :at is likely to happ5 to ! republic4  
,! con/itution1 z kn[n to our ance/ors1 
has already sw]v$ some:at f ! regul>    
c\rse & ! l9es m>k$ out = x4 ,tib]ius   
,grac*us made an attempt to obta9 ! p[] 
( a k+1 or1 ,i might r say1 enjoy$ t p[]
 = a few mon?s4 ,_h ! ,roman p ev] he>d 
or se5 ! l be=e8 ,:at ! fri5ds &        
connexions t foll[$ him1 ev5 aft] 8     
dea?1 h succe$$ 9 do+ 9 ! case (        
,publius ,scipio ,i _c describe )\t     
te>s4 ,z = ,c>bo1 ?anks to ! puni%m5t   
rec5tly inflict$ on ,tib]ius ,grac*us1  
we h by hook or by crook manag$ to hold 

out aga9/ 8 attacks4 ,b :at to expect ( 
! tribune%ip ( ,caius ,grac*us ,i d n l 
to =eca/4 ,"o ?+ leads to ano!r2 & once 
set go+1 ! d[nw>d c\rse proce$s )       
ev]-increas+ velocity4 ,!re is ! case ( 
! ballot3 :at a bl[ 0 inflict$ fir/ by !
 lex ,gab9ia1 & two ye>s aft]w>ds by !  
lex ,cassia6 ,i seem already to see ! p 
e/rang$ f ! ,s5ate1 & ! mo/ important   
affairs at ! m]cy ( ! multitude4 ,= y   
may be sure t m p w le>n h[ to set su*  
?+s 9 motion ?an h[ to /op !m4 ,:at is !
 po9t ( ^! rem>ks8 ,?is3 no "o ev] makes
 any attempt ( ?is sort )\t fri5ds to   
help him4 ,we mu/ !re=e impress ^u good 
m5 t1 %\ld !y become inevitably involv$ 
9 fri5d%ips ) m5 ( ?is k9d1 !y ought n  
to consid] !mselves "u any obligation to
 /& by fri5ds :o are disloyal to !      
republic4 ,bad m5 mu/ h ! fe> ( puni%m5t
 be=e _! eyes3 a puni%m5t n less sev]e =
 ^? :o foll[ ?an = ^? :o lead o!rs to   
crime4 ,:o 0 m fam\s & p[]ful 9 ,greece 
?an ,!mi/ocles8 ,at ! head ( ! army 9 ! 
,p]sian w> he _h fre$ ,greece2 he ow$ 8 

exile to p]sonal envy3 b he did n submit
 to ! wrong done him by 8 ungrateful    
c\ntry z he ought to h done4 ,he act$ z 
,coriolanus _h act$ among u tw5ty ye>s  
be=e4 ,b no "o 0 f\nd to help !m 9 _!   
attacks ^u _! fa!rl&4 ,bo? ( !m         
accord+ly committ$ suicide4  ,we        
conclude1 !n1 n only t no su*           
conf$]ation ( evilly dispos$ m5 mu/ be  
all[$ to %elt] itself "u ! plea (       
fri5d%ip1 b t1 on ! contr>y1 x mu/ be   
visit$ ) ! sev]e/ puni%m5t1 le/ ! idea  
%\ld prevail t fidelity to a fri5d      
ju/ifies ev5 mak+ w> ^u "o's c\ntry4 ,& 
?is is a case :i* ,i am incl9$ to ?9k1  
consid]+ h[ ?+s are beg9n+ to g1 w soon]
 or lat] arise4 ,& ,i c>e q z mu* :at ! 
/ate ( ! con/itution w be aft] my dea? z
 :at x is n[4  #ac4 ,let ?is1 !n1 be    
laid d[n z ! fir/ law ( fri5d%ip1 t we  
%\ld ask f fri5ds1 & d = fri5ds'1 only  
:at is good4 ,b d n let u wait to be    
ask$ ei!r3 let !re be ev] an eag]       
read9ess1 & an abs5ce ( hesitation4 ,let
 u h ! c\rage to give advice ) c&\r4 ,9 

fri5d%ip1 let ! influ5ce ( fri5ds :o    
give good advice be p>am\nt2 & let ?is  
influ5ce be us$ to en=ce advice n only 9
 pla9-spok5 t]ms1 b sometimes1 if ! case
 dem&s x1 ) %>pness2 & :5 s us$1 let x  
be obey$4  ,i give y ^! rules because ,i
 believe t "s wond]ful op9ions are      
ent]ta9$ by c]ta9 p]sons :o h1 ,i am    
told1 a reputation = wisdom 9 ,greece4  
,!re is no?+ 9 ! _w1 by ! way1 beyond ! 
rea* ( _! sophi/ry4 ,well1 "s ( !m tea* 
t we %\ld avoid v close fri5d%ips1 = fe>
 t "o man %\ld h to endure ! anxieties (
 sev]al4 ,ea* man1 say !y1 has en\gh &  
to sp>e on 8 own h&s2 x is too bad to be
 involv$ 9 ! c>es ( o!r p4 ,! wise/     
c\rse is to hold ! re9s ( fri5d%ip z    
loose z possible2 y c !n tight5 or      
slack5 !m at y\r w4 ,= ! fir/ condition 
( a happy life is fre$om f c>e1 :i* no  
"o's m9d c enjoy if x has to travail1 s 
to speak1 = o!rs besides itself4 ,ano!r 
sect1 ,i am told1 gives v5t to op9ions  
/ill less g5]\s4 ,i briefly t\*$ on ?is 
subject j n[4 ,!y affirm t fri5d%ips    

%\ld be s\ght solely = ! sake ( !       
assi/ance !y give1 & n at all f motives 
( feel+ & affection2 & t !re=e j 9      
proportion z a man's p[] & means (      
support are l[e/1 he is mo/ eag] to ga9 
fri5d%ips3 !nce x comes t weak wom5 seek
 ! support ( fri5d%ip m ?an m51 ! poor m
 ?an ! ri*1 ! un=tunate r ?an ^? e/eem$ 
prosp]\s4 ,:at noble philosophy6 ,y     
might j z well take ! sun out ( ! sky z 
fri5d%ip f life2 = ! immortal gods h    
giv5 u no?+ bett] or m delightful4  ,b  
let u exam9e ! two doctr9es4 ,:at is !  
value ( ?is fre$om f c>e8 ,x is v tempt+
 at fir/ sight1 b 9 practice x has 9 _m 
cases to be put on "o side4 ,= !re is no
 bus9ess & no c\rse ( action dem&$ f u  
by our hon\r :i* y c consi/5tly decl9e1 
or lay aside :5 begun1 f a m]e wi% to   
escape f anxiety4 ,nay1 if we wi% to    
avoid anxiety we mu/ avoid virtue       
itself1 :i* necess>ily involves "s      
anxi\s ?\ghts 9 %[+ its loa?+ &         
abhorr5ce = ! qualities :i* are opposite
 to itself--z k9dness = ill-nature1     

self-control = lic5ti\sness1 c\rage =   
c[>dice4 ,?us y may notice t x is ! j :o
 are mo/ pa9$ at inju/ice1 ! brave at   
c[>dly actions1 ! temp]ate at depravity4
 ,x is !n *>act]i/ic ( a rightly ord]$  
m9d to be pleas$ at :at is good & griev$
 at ! rev]se4 ,see+ !n t ! wise are n   
exempt f ! he>t-a*e 7:i* mu/ be ! case  
unless we suppose all human nature root$
 out ( _! he>ts71 :y %\ld we bani%      
fri5d%ip f our lives1 = fe> ( be+       
involv$ by x 9 "s am\nt ( di/ress8 ,if y
 take away emotion1 :at diff]5ce rema9s 
,i don't say betwe5 a man & a bea/1 b   
betwe5 a man & a /one or a log ( wood1  
or any?+ else ( t k9d8  ,nei!r %\ld we  
give any weight to ! doctr9e t virtue is
 some?+ rigid & unyield+ z iron4 ,9 po9t
 ( fact x is 9 reg>d to fri5d%ip1 z 9 s 
_m o!r ?+s1 s supple & s5sitive t x     
exp&s1 s to speak1 at a fri5d's good    
=tune1 contracts at 8 mis=tunes4 ,we    
conclude !n t m5tal pa9 :i* we mu/ (t5  
enc\nt] on a fri5d's acc\nt is n (      
suffici5t consequ5ce to bani% fri5d%ip f

 our life1 any m ?an x is true t !      
c>d9al virtues are to be disp5s$ )      
because !y involve c]ta9 anxieties &    
di/resses4  #ad4 ,let me repeat !n1 !   
cle> indication ( virtue1 to :i* a m9d (
 l "* is naturally attract$1 is ! beg9n+
 ( fri5d%ip4 ,:5 t is ! case ! rise (   
affection is a necessity4 ,= :at c be m 
irrational ?an to take delight 9 _m     
objects incapable ( response1 su* z     
(fice1 fame1 spl5did build+s1 & p]sonal 
decoration1 & yet to take little or none
 9 a s5ti5t be+ end[$ ) virtue1 :i* has 
! faculty ( lov+ or1 if ,i may use !    
expression1 lov+ back8 ,= no?+ is really
 m delightful ?an a return ( affection1 
& ! mutual int]*ange ( k9d feel+ & good 
(fices4 ,& if we add1 z we may fairly d1
 t no?+ s p[]fully attracts & draws "o  
?+ to itself z lik5ess does to fri5d%ip1
 x w at once be admitt$ to be true t !  
good love ! good & atta* !m to !mselves 
z ?\gh !y 7 unit$ by blood & nature4 ,= 
no?+ c be m eag]1 or r gre$y1 = :at is l
 itself ?an nature4 ,s1 my de> ,fannius 

& ,scaevola1 we may look ^u ?is z an    
e/abli%$ fact1 t betwe5 good m5 !re is1 
z x 7 ( necessity1 a k9dly feel+1 :i* is
 ! s\rce ( fri5d%ip orda9$ by nature4 ,b
 ?is same k9dl9ess affects ! _m also4 ,=
 t is no unsympa!tic or selfi% or       
exclusive virtue1 :i* protects ev5 :ole 
nations & consults _! be/ int]e/s4 ,& t 
c]ta9ly x w\ld n h done _h x disda9$ all
 affection = ! common h]d4  ,aga91 !    
believ]s 9 ! int]e/ !ory appe> to me to 
de/roy ! mo/ attractive l9k 9 ! *a9 (   
fri5d%ip4 ,= x is n s mu* :at "o gets by
 a fri5d t gives "o pleasure1 z ! w>m? (
 8 feel+2 & we only c>e = a fri5d's     
s]vice if x has be5 prompt$ by          
affection4 ,& s f> f its be+ true t lack
 ( means is a motive = seek+ fri5d%ip1 x
 is usually ^? :o be+ mo/ ri*ly end[$ ) 
weal? & means1 & above all ) virtue     
7:i*1 aft] all1 is a man's be/ support71
 are lea/ 9 ne$ ( ano!r1 t are mo/      
op5h&$ & b5efic5t4 ,inde$ ,i am incl9$  
to ?9k t fri5ds ought at times to be 9  
want ( some?+4 ,= in/ance1 :at scope    

w\ld my affections h _h if ,scipio _h   
nev] want$ my advice or co-op]ation at  
home or abroad8 ,x is n fri5d%ip1 !n1 t 
foll[s mat]ial advantage1 b mat]ial     
advantage fri5d%ip4  #ae4 ,we mu/ n     
!re=e li/5 to ^! sup]f9e g5tlem5 :5 !y  
talk ( fri5d%ip1 :i* !y "k nei!r 9 !ory 
nor 9 practice4 ,= :o1 9 heav5's "n1    
w\ld *oose a life ( ! greate/ weal? &   
abundance on condition ( nei!r lov+ or  
be+ belov$ by any creature8 ,t is ! sort
 ( life tyrants endure4 ,!y1 ( c\rse1 c 
c\nt on no fidelity1 no affection1 no   
security = ! goodwill ( any "o4 ,= !m   
all is suspicion & anxiety2 = !m !re is 
no possibility ( fri5d%ip4 ,:o c love "o
 :om he fe>s1 or by :om he kn[s t he is 
fe>$8 ,yet su* m5 h a %[ ( fri5d%ip (f]$
 !m1 b x is only a fair-wea!r %[4 ,if x 
ev] happ5 t !y fall1 z x g5]ally does1  
!y w at once und]/& h[ fri5dless !y are4
 ,s !y say ,t>qu9 obs]v$ 9 8 exile t he 
nev] knew :i* ( 8 fri5ds 7 real & :i*   
%am1 until he _h ceas$ to be able to    
repay ei!r4 ,?\gh :at surprises me is t 

a man ( 8 pr\d & ov]be>+ "* %\ld h a    
fri5d at all4 ,& z x 0 8 "* t prev5t$ 8 
hav+ g5u9e fri5ds1 s x (t5 happ5s 9 !   
case ( m5 ( unusually great means--_! v 
weal? =bids fai?ful fri5d%ips4 ,= n only
 is ,=tune bl9d h]self2 b %e g5]ally    
makes ^? bl9d also :o enjoy h] fav\rs4  
,!y are c>ri$1 s to speak1 beyond       
!mselves ) self-conceit & self-w2 nor c 
any?+ be m p]fectly intol]able ?an a    
successful fool4 ,y may (t5 see x4 ,m5  
:o be=e _h pleasant mann]s en\gh und]go 
a complete *ange on atta9+ p[] ( (fice4 
,!y despise _! old fri5ds3 devote       
!mselves to new4  ,n[1 c any?+ be m     
fooli% ?an t m5 :o h all ! opportunities
 :i* prosp]ity1 weal?1 & great means c  
be/[1 %\ld secure all else :i* money c  
buy--horses1 s]vants1 spl5did uphol/]+1 
& co/ly plate--b d n secure fri5ds1 :o  
are1 if ,i may use ! expression1 ! mo/  
valuable & beautiful furniture ( life8  
,& yet1 :5 !y acquire ! =m]1 !y "k n :o 
w enjoy !m1 nor = :om !y may be tak+ all
 ?is tr\ble2 = !y w "o & all ev5tually  

belong to ! /ronge/3 :ile ea* man has a 
/able & inali5able own]%ip 9 8          
fri5d%ips4 ,& ev5 if ^? possessions1 :i*
 are1 9 a mann]1 ! gifts ( =tune1 d     
prove p]man5t1 life c nev] be any?+ b   
joyless :i* is )\t ! consolations &     
companion%ip ( fri5ds4  #af4 ,to turn to
 ano!r bran* ( our subject4 ,we mu/ n[  
endeav\r to asc]ta9 :at limits are to be
 obs]v$ 9 fri5d%ip--:at is ! b\nd>y-l9e1
 s to speak1 beyond :i* our affection is
 n to g4 ,on ?is po9t ,i notice ?ree    
op9ions1 ) none ( :i* ,i agree4 ,"o is t
 we %\ld love our fri5d j z mu* z we    
love ourselves1 & no m2 ano!r1 t our    
affection to !m %\ld exactly correspond 
& equal !irs to u2 a ?ird1 t a man %\ld 
be valu$ at exactly ! same rate z he    
values himself4 ,to n "o ( ^! op9ions d 
,i ass5t4 ,! fir/1 :i* holds t our reg>d
 = ourselves is to be ! measure ( our   
reg>d = our fri5d1 is n true2 = h[ _m   
?+s !re are :i* we w\ld nev] h done =   
our own sakes1 b d = ! sake ( a fri5d6  
,we submit to make reque/s f unwor?y p1 

to desc5d ev5 to supplication2 to be    
%>p] 9 invective1 m viol5t 9 attack4    
,su* actions are n cr$itable 9 our own  
int]e/s1 b highly s 9 ^? ( our fri5ds4  
,!re are _m advantages too :i* m5 (     
upright "* volunt>ily =ego1 or ( :i* !y 
are cont5t to be depriv$1 t _! fri5ds   
may enjoy !m r ?an !mselves4  ,! second 
doctr9e is t :i* limits fri5d%ip to an  
exact equality 9 mutual good (fices &   
good feel+s4 ,b su* a view r$uces       
fri5d%ip to a "q ( figures 9 a _s f> too
 n>r[ & illib]al1 z ?\gh ! object 7 to h
 an exact balance 9 a debtor & cr$itor  
acc\nt4 ,true fri5d%ip appe>s to me to  
be some?+ ri*] & m g5]\s ?an t comes to2
 & n to be s n>r[ly on its gu>d aga9/   
giv+ m ?an x receives4 ,9 su* a matt] we
 mu/ n be always afraid ( some?+ be+    
wa/$ or runn+ ov] 9 our measure1 or ( m 
?an is ju/ly due be+ devot$ to our      
fri5d%ip4  ,b ! la/ limit propos$ is !  
wor/1 namely1 t a fri5d's e/imate (     
himself is to be ! measure ( our e/imate
 ( him4 ,x (t5 happ5s t a man has too   

humble an idea ( himself1 or takes too  
despair+ a view ( 8 *ance ( bett]+ 8    
=tune4 ,9 su* a case a fri5d ought n to 
take ! view ( him :i* he takes (        
himself4 ,r he %\ld d all he c to raise 
8 droop+ spirits1 & lead him to m *e]ful
 hopes & ?\ghts4  ,we mu/ !n f9d "s o!r 
limit4 ,b ,i mu/ fir/ m5tion ! s5tim5t  
:i* us$ to call =? ,scipio's sev]e/     
criticism4 ,he (t5 said t no "o ev] gave
 utt]ance to any?+ m diametrically      
oppos$ to ! _s ( fri5d%ip ?an ! au?or ( 
! dictum1 ,y %\ld love y\r fri5d ) !    
consci\sness t y may "o day hate him4   
,he c\ld n be induc$ to believe t x 0   
rightfully attribut$ to ,bias1 :o 0     
c\nt$ z "o ( ! ,sev5 ,sages4 ,x 0 !     
s5tim5t ( "s p]son ) s9i/] motives or   
selfi% ambition1 or :o reg>d$ ev]y?+ z x
 affect$ 8 own supremacy4 ,h[ c a man be
 fri5ds ) ano!r1 if he ?9ks x possible t
 he may be 8 enemy8 ,:y1 x w foll[ t he 
mu/ wi% & desire 8 fri5d to commit z _m 
mi/akes z possible1 t he may h all ! m  
h&les aga9/ him2 &1 conv]sely1 t he mu/ 

be annoy$1 irritat$1 & jeal\s at ! "r   
actions or good =tune ( 8 fri5ds4 ,?is  
maxim1 !n1 let x be ^: x w1 is ! utt]   
de/ruction ( fri5d%ip4 ,! true rule is  
to take su* c>e 9 ! selection ( our     
fri5ds z nev] to ent] ^u a fri5d%ip ) a 
man :om we c\ld "u any circum/ances come
 to hate4 ,& ev5 if we are unlucky 9 our
 *oice1 we mu/ put up ) x--accord+ to   
,scipio--9 pref]5ce to mak+ calculations
 z to a future brea*4  #ag4 ,! real     
limit to be obs]v$ 9 fri5d%ip is ?is3 ! 
*>act]s ( two fri5ds mu/ be /a9less4    
,!re mu/ be complete h>mony ( int]e/s1  
purpose1 & aims1 )\t exception4 ,!n if !
 case arises ( a fri5d's wi% 7n /rictly 
"r 9 itself7 call+ = support 9 a matt]  
involv+ 8 life or reputation1 we mu/    
make "s concession f ! /raight pa?--on  
condition1 t is to say1 t extreme       
disgrace is n ! consequ5ce4 ,some?+ mu/ 
be conc$$ to fri5d%ip4 ,& yet we mu/ n  
be entirely c>eless ( our reputation1   
nor reg>d ! good op9ion ( our           
fell[-citiz5s z a weapon :i* we c af=d  

to despise 9 conduct+ ! bus9ess ( our   
life1 h[ev] l[]+ x may be to t\t = x by 
flatt]y & smoo? words4 ,we mu/ by no    
means abjure virtue1 :i* secures u      
affection4  ,b to return aga9 to        
,scipio1 ! sole au?or ( ! disc\rse on   
fri5d%ip4 ,he us$ to compla9 t !re 0    
no?+ on :i* m5 be/[$ s little pa9s3 t e 
"o c\ld tell exactly h[ _m goats or %eep
 he _h1 b n h[ _m fri5ds2 & :ile !y took
 pa9s 9 procur+ ! =m]1 !y 7 utt]ly      
c>eless 9 select+ fri5ds1 & possess$ no 
p>ticul> m>ks1 s to speak1 or tok5s by  
:i* !y might judge ( _! suitability =   
fri5d%ip4 ,n[ ! qualities we ought to   
look out = 9 mak+ our selection are     
firmness1 /ability1 con/ancy4 ,!re is a 
pl5tiful lack ( m5 s end[$1 & x is      
difficult to =m a judgm5t )\t te/+4 ,n[ 
?is te/+ c only be made dur+ ! actual   
exi/5ce ( ! fri5d%ip2 = fri5d%ip s (t5  
prec$es ! =mation ( a judgm5t1 & makes a
 previ\s te/ impossible4 ,if we are     
prud5t !n1 we %all re9 9 our impulse to 
affection z we d *>iot horses4 ,we make 

a prelim9>y trial ( horses4 ,s we %\ld (
 fri5d%ip2 & %\ld te/ our fri5ds'       
*>act]s by a k9d ( t5tative fri5d%ip4 ,x
 may (t5 happ5 t ! untru/wor?9ess (     
c]ta9 m5 is completely display$ 9 a     
small money matt]2 o!rs :o are pro(     
aga9/ a small sum are detect$ if x be   
l>ge4 ,b ev5 if "s are f\nd :o ?9k x    
mean to pref] money to fri5d%ip1 :]e    
%all we look = ^? :o put fri5d%ip be=e  
(fice1 civil or milit>y promotions1 &   
political p[]1 & :o1 :5 ! *oice lies    
betwe5 ^! ?+s on ! "o side & ! claims ( 
fri5d%ip on ! o!r1 d n give a /rong     
pref]5ce to ! =m]8 ,x is n 9 human      
nature to be indiff]5t to political p[]2
 & if ! price m5 h to pay = x is !      
sacrifice ( fri5d%ip1 !y ?9k _! treason 
w be ?r[n into ! %ade by ! magnitude ( !
 rew>d4 ,?is is :y true fri5d%ip is v   
difficult to f9d among ^? :o engage 9   
politics & ! conte/ = (fice4 ,:]e c y   
f9d ! man to pref] 8 fri5d's advancem5t 
to 8 own8 ,& to say no?+ ( t1 ?9k h[    
griev\s & almo/ intol]able x is to mo/  

m5 to %>e political disa/]4 ,y w sc>cely
 f9d anyone :o c br+ himself to d t4 ,& 
?\gh :at ,ennius says is q true1-- ! h\r
 ( ne$ %ews ! fri5d inde$1--yet x is 9  
^! two ways t mo/ p betray _!           
untru/wor?9ess & incon/ancy1 by look+   
d[n on fri5ds :5 !y are !mselves        
prosp]\s1 or des]t+ !m 9 _! di/ress4 ,a 
man1 !n1 :o has %ewn a firm1 un%ak51 &  
unv>y+ fri5d%ip 9 bo? ^! cont+5cies we  
mu/ reckon z "o ( a class ! r>e/ 9 ! _w1
 & all b sup]human4  #ah4 ,n[1 :at is ! 
quality to look out = z a w>rant = !    
/ability & p]man5ce ( fri5d%ip8 ,x is   
loyalty4 ,no?+ t lacks ?is c be /able4  
,we %\ld also 9 mak+ our selection look 
out = simplicity1 a social disposition1 
& a sympa!tic nature1 mov$ by :at moves 
u4 ,^! all contribute to ma9ta9 loyalty4
 ,y c nev] tru/ a "* :i* is intricate & 
tortu\s4 ,nor1 inde$1 is x possible = "o
 to be tru/wor?y & firm :o is           
unsympa!tic by nature & unmov$ by :at   
affects ourselves4 ,we may add1 t he mu/
 nei!r take pleasure 9 br++ accusations 

aga9/ u himself1 nor believe !m :5 !y   
are br\ght4 ,all ^! contribute to =m t  
con/ancy :i* ,i h be5 endeav\r+ to      
describe4 ,& ! result is1 :at ,i />t$ by
 say+1 t fri5d%ip is only possible      
betwe5 good m54  ,n[ !re are two        
*>act]i/ic features 9 8 treatm5t ( 8    
fri5ds t a good 7:i* may be reg>d$ z    
equival5t to a wise7 man w always       
display4 ,fir/1 he w be entirely )\t any
 make-believe or pret5ce ( feel+2 = !   
op5 display ev5 ( dislike is m becom+ to
 an +5u\s "* ?an a /udi$ concealm5t (   
s5tim5t4 ,secondly1 he w n only reject  
all accusations br\ght aga9/ 8 fri5d by 
ano!r1 b he w n be suspici\s himself    
ei!r1 nor be always ?9k+ t 8 fri5d has  
act$ improp]ly4 ,besides ?is1 !re %\ld  
be a c]ta9 pleasantness 9 ^w & mann] :i*
 adds no little flav\r to fri5d%ip4 ,a  
gloomy temp] & unv>y+ gravity may be v  
impressive2 b fri5d%ip %\ld be a little 
less unb5d+1 m indulg5t & graci\s1 & m  
incl9$ to all k9ds ( good-fell[%ip &    
good-nature4  #ai4 ,b "h arises a "q (  

"s little difficulty4 ,are !re any      
occasions on :i*1 assum+ _! wor?9ess1 we
 %\ld pref] new to old fri5ds1 j z we   
pref] "y to ag$ horses8 ,! answ] admits 
( no d\bt :atev]4 ,= !re %\ld be no     
satiety 9 fri5d%ip1 z !re is 9 o!r ?+s4 
,! old] ! sweet]1 z 9 w9es t keep well4 
,& ! prov]b is a true "o1 ,y mu/ eat _m 
a peck ( salt ) a man to be ?or\gh      
fri5ds ) him4 ,novelty1 inde$1 has its  
advantage1 :i* we mu/ n despise4 ,!re is
 always hope ( fruit1 z !re is 9 heal?y 
blades ( corn4 ,b age too mu/ h its     
prop] position2 &1 9 fact1 ! influ5ce ( 
"t & habit is v great4 ,to recur to !   
illu/ration ( ! horse :i* ,i h j n[ us$4
 ,e "o likes cet]is p>ibus to use !     
horse to :i* he has be5 accu/om$1 r ?an 
"o t is untri$ & new4 ,& x is n only 9 !
 case ( a liv+ ?+ t ?is rule holds good1
 b 9 inanimate ?+s also2 = we l places  
:]e we h liv$ ! longe/1 ev5 ?\gh !y are 
m\nta9\s & cov]$ ) =e/4 ,b "h is ano!r  
gold5 rule 9 fri5d%ip3 put y\rself on a 
level ) y\r fri5d4 ,= x (t5 happ5s t !re

 are c]ta9 sup]iorities1 z = example    
,scipio's 9 :at ,i may call our set4 ,n[
 he nev] assum$ any airs ( sup]iority   
ov] ,philus1 or ,rupilius1 or ,mummius1 
or ov] fri5ds ( a l[] rank /ill4 ,=     
in/ance1 he always %ew$ a def]5ce to 8  
bro!r ,qu9tus ,maximus because he 0 8   
s5ior1 :o1 ?\gh a man no d\bt ( em95t   
"*1 0 by no means 8 equal4 ,he us$ also 
to wi% t all 8 fri5ds %\ld be ! bett] = 
8 support4 ,?is is an example we %\ld   
all foll[4 ,if any ( u h any advantage 9
 p]sonal "*1 intellect1 or =tune1 we    
%\ld be ready to make our fri5ds %>]s & 
p>tn]s 9 x ) ourselves4 ,= in/ance1 if  
_! p>5ts are 9 humble circum/ances1 if  
_! relations are p[]ful nei!r 9         
intellect nor means1 we %\ld supply _!  
defici5cies & promote _! rank & dignity4
 ,y "k ! leg5ds ( *ildr5 br\ght up z    
s]vants 9 ignorance ( _! p>5tage &      
family4 ,:5 !y are recogniz$ & discov]$ 
to be ! sons ( gods or k+s1 !y /ill     
reta9 _! affection = ! %eph]ds :om !y h 
= _m ye>s look$ ^u z _! p>5ts4 ,mu* m   

ought ?is to be s 9 ! case ( real &     
und\bt$ p>5ts4 ,= ! advantages ( g5ius &
 virtue1 & 9 %ort1 ( e k9d ( sup]iority1
 are nev] realiz$ to _! fulle/ ext5t    
until !y are be/[$ ^u our ne>e/ & de>e/4
  #bj4 ,b ! conv]se mu/ also be obs]v$4 
,= 9 fri5d%ip & relation%ip1 j z ^? :o  
possess any sup]iority mu/ put !mselves 
on an equal foot+ ) ^? :o are less      
=tunate1 s ^! latt] mu/ n be annoy$ at  
be+ surpass$ 9 g5ius1 =tune1 or rank4 ,b
 mo/ p ( t sort are =ev] ei!r grumbl+ at
 some?+1 or h>p+ on _! claims2 &        
especially if !y consid] t !y h s]vices 
( _! own to allege involv+ zeal &       
fri5d%ip & "s tr\ble to !mselves4 ,p :o 
are always br++ up _! s]vices are a     
nuisance4 ,! recipi5t ought to rememb]  
!m2 ! p]=m] %\ld nev] m5tion !m4 ,9 !   
case ( fri5ds1 !n1 z ! sup]ior are b\nd 
to desc5d1 s are !y b\nd 9 a c]ta9 s5se 
to raise ^? bel[ !m4 ,= !re are p :o    
make _! fri5d%ip disagreeable by imag9+ 
!mselves und]valu$4 ,?is g5]ally happ5s 
only to ^? :o ?9k t !y des]ve to be s2 &

 !y ought to be %ewn by de$s z well z by
 words ! gr\ndlessness ( _! op9ion4 ,n[ 
! measure ( y\r b5efits %\ld be 9 ! fir/
 place y\r own p[] to be/[1 & 9 ! second
 place ! capacity to be> !m on ! "p (   
him on :om y are be/[+ affection & help4
 ,=1 h[ev] great y\r p]sonal pre/ige may
 be1 y _c raise all y\r fri5ds to !     
highe/ (fices ( ! ,/ate4 ,= in/ance1    
,scipio 0 able to make ,publius         
,rupilius consul1 b n 8 bro!r ,lucius4  
,b grant+ t y c give anyone any?+ y     
*oose1 y mu/ h a c>e t x does n prove to
 be beyond 8 p[]s4 ,z a g5]al rule1 we  
mu/ wait to make up our m9d ab\t        
fri5d%ips till m5's *>act]s & ye>s h    
arriv$ at _! full /r5g? & developm5t4 ,p
 mu/ n1 = in/ance1 reg>d z fa/ fri5ds   
all :om 9 _! y\?ful en?usiasm = hunt+ or
 football !y lik$ = hav+ ! same ta/es4  
,by t rule1 if x 7 a m]e "q ( "t1 no "o 
w\ld h su* claims on our affections z   
nurses & slave-tutors4 ,n t !y are to be
 neglect$1 b !y /& on a diff]5t gr\nd4  
,x is only ^! mature fri5d%ips t c be   

p]man5t4 ,= diff]5ce ( "* leads to      
diff]5ce ( aims1 & ! result ( su*       
div]sity is to e/range fri5ds4 ,! sole  
reason1 = in/ance1 :i* prev5ts good m5 f
 mak+ fri5ds ) bad1 or bad ) good1 is t 
! div]g5ce ( _! *>act]s & aims is !     
greate/ possible4  ,ano!r good rule 9   
fri5d%ip is ?is3 d n let an excessive   
affection h9d] ! highe/ int]e/s ( y\r   
fri5ds4 ,?is v (t5 happ5s4 ,i w g aga9  
to ! region ( fable = an in/ance4       
,neoptolemus c\ld nev] h tak5 ,troy if  
he _h be5 will+ to li/5 to ,lycom$es1 :o
 _h br\ght him up1 & ) _m te>s tri$ to  
prev5t 8 go+ !re4 ,aga91 x (t5 happ5s t 
important bus9ess makes x necess>y to "p
 f fri5ds3 ! man :o tries to baulk x1   
because he ?9ks t he _c endure !        
sep>ation1 is ( a weak & effem9ate      
nature1 & on t v acc\nt makes b a poor  
fri5d4 ,!re are1 ( c\rse1 limits to :at 
y ought to expect f a fri5d & to :at y  
%\ld all[ him to dem& ( y4 ,& ^! y mu/  
take into calculation 9 e case4  #ba4   
,aga91 !re is su* a disa/]1 s to speak1 

z hav+ to break (f fri5d%ip4 ,&         
sometimes x is "o we _c avoid4 ,= at ?is
 po9t ! /ream ( our disc\rse is leav+ ! 
intimacies ( ! wise & t\*+ on ! fri5d%ip
 ( ord9>y p4 ,x w happ5 at times t an   
outbreak ( vici\s conduct affects ei!r a
 man's fri5ds !mselves or /rang]s1 yet !
 discr$it falls on ! fri5ds4 ,9 su*     
cases fri5d%ips %\ld be all[$ to die out
 gradually by an int]mission (          
int]c\rse4 ,!y %\ld1 z ,i h be5 told t  
,cato us$ to say1 r be un/it*$ ?an torn 
9 twa92 unless1 inde$1 ! injuri\s       
conduct be ( s viol5t & outrage\s a     
nature z to make an in/ant brea* &      
sep>ation ! only possible c\rse consi/5t
 ) hon\r & rectitude4 ,aga91 if a *ange 
9 "* & aim takes place1 z (t5 happ5s1 or
 if p>ty politics produces an ali5ation 
( feel+ 7,i am n[ speak+1 z ,i said a   
%ort "t ago1 ( ord9>y fri5d%ips1 n ( ^? 
( ! wise71 we %all h to be on our gu>d  
aga9/ appe>+ to emb>k ^u active enmity  
:ile we only mean to resign a fri5d%ip4 
,= !re c be no?+ m discr$itable ?an to  

be at op5 w> ) a man ) :om y h be5      
intimate4 ,scipio1 z y are aw>e1 _h     
ab&on$ 8 fri5d%ip = ,qu9tus ,pompeius on
 my acc\nt2 & aga91 f diff]5ces ( op9ion
 9 politics1 he became e/rang$ f my     
colleague ,metellus4 ,9 bo? cases he    
act$ ) dignity & mod]ation1 %ew+ t he 0 
(f5d$ inde$1 b )\t ranc\r4  ,our fir/   
object1 !n1 %\ld be to prev5t a brea*2  
our second1 to secure t1 if x does      
occur1 our fri5d%ip %\ld seem to h di$ a
 natural r ?an a viol5t dea?4 ,next1 we 
%\ld take c>e t fri5d%ip is n conv]t$   
into active ho/ility1 f :i* fl[ p]sonal 
qu>rels1 abusive language1 & angry      
recrim9ations4 ,^! la/1 h[ev]1 provid$ t
 !y d n pass all reasonable limits (    
=be>ance1 we ought to put up )1 &1 9    
complim5t to an old fri5d%ip1 all[ !    
p>ty t inflicts ! injury1 n ! "o t      
submits to x1 to be 9 ! wrong4 ,g5]ally 
speak+1 !re is b "o way ( secur+ &      
provid+ oneself aga9/ faults &          
inconv5i5ces ( ?is sort--n to be too    
ha/y 9 be/[+ our affection1 & n to be/[ 

x at all on unwor?y objects4  ,n[1 by   
wor?y ( fri5d%ip ,i mean ^? :o h 9      
!mselves ! qualities :i* attract        
affection4 ,?is sort ( man is r>e2 &    
inde$ all excell5t ?+s are r>e2 & no?+ 9
 ! _w is s h>d to f9d z a ?+ entirely & 
completely p]fect ( its k9d4 ,b mo/ p n 
only recognize no?+ z good 9 our life   
unless x is pr(itable1 b look ^u fri5ds 
z s mu* /ock1 c>+ mo/ = ^? by :om !y    
hope to make mo/ pr(it4 ,accord+ly !y   
nev] possess t mo/ beautiful & mo/      
spontane\s fri5d%ip :i* mu/ be s\ght    
solely = itself )\t any ult]ior object4 
,!y fail also to le>n f _! own feel+s ! 
nature & ! /r5g? ( fri5d%ip4 ,= e "o    
loves himself1 n = any rew>d :i* su*    
love may br+1 b because he is de> to    
himself indep5d5tly ( any?+ else4 ,b    
unless ?is feel+ is transf]r$ to ano!r1 
:at a real fri5d is w nev] be reveal$2 =
 he is1 z x 71 a second self4 ,b if we  
f9d ^! two in/9cts %ew+ !mselves 9      
animals1--:e!r ( ! air or ! sea or ! l&1
 :e!r wild or tame1--fir/1 a love (     

self1 :i* 9 fact is born 9 ev]y?+ t     
lives alike2 &1 secondly1 an eag]ness to
 f9d & atta* !mselves to o!r creatures (
 _! own k9d2 & if ?is natural action is 
accompani$ by desire & by some?+        
resembl+ human love1 h[ mu* m mu/ ?is be
 ! case 9 man by ! law ( 8 nature8 ,=   
man n only loves himself1 b seeks ano!r 
^: _s he may s bl5d ) 8 own z almo/ to  
make "o be+ ( two4  #bb4 ,b mo/ p       
unreasonably1 n to speak ( mode/y1 want 
su* a fri5d z !y are unable to be       
!mselves1 & expect f _! fri5ds :at !y d 
n !mselves give4 ,! fair c\rse is fir/  
to be good y\rself1 & !n to look out =  
ano!r ( l "*4 ,x is betwe5 su* t !      
/ability 9 fri5d%ip ( :i* we h be5 talk+
 c be secur$2 :51 t is to say1 m5 :o are
 unit$ by affection le>n1 fir/ ( all1 to
 rule ^? passions :i* enslave o!rs1 & 9 
! next place to take delight 9 fair &   
equitable conduct1 to be> ea* o!r's     
burd5s1 nev] to ask ea* o!r = any?+     
inconsi/5t ) virtue & rectitude1 & n    
only to s]ve & love b also to respect   

ea* o!r4 ,i say respect2 = if respect is
 gone1 fri5d%ip has lo/ its brighte/    
jewel4 ,& ?is %[s ! mi/ake ( ^? :o      
imag9e t fri5d%ip gives a privilege to  
lic5ti\sness & s94 ,nature has giv5 u   
fri5d%ip z ! h&maid ( virtue1 n z a     
p>tn] 9 guilt3 to ! end t virtue1 be+   
p[]less :5 isolat$ to rea* ! highe/     
objects1 might succe$ 9 do+ s 9 union & 
p>tn]%ip ) ano!r4 ,^? :o enjoy 9 !      
pres5t1 or h enjoy$ 9 ! pa/1 or are     
de/9$ to enjoy 9 ! future su* a p>tn]%ip
 z ?is1 mu/ be consid]$ to h secur$ !   
mo/ excell5t & auspici\s comb9ation =   
rea*+ nature's highe/ good4 ,?is is !   
p>tn]%ip1 ,i say1 :i* comb9es moral     
rectitude1 fame1 peace ( m9d1 s]5ity3   
all t m5 ?9k desirable because ) !m life
 is happy1 b )\t !m _c be s4 ,?is be+   
our be/ & highe/ object1 we mu/1 if we  
desire to atta9 x1 devote ourselves to  
virtue2 = )\t virtue we c obta9 nei!r   
fri5d%ip nor any?+ else desirable4 ,9   
fact1 if virtue be neglect$1 ^? :o      
imag9e !mselves to possess fri5ds w f9d 

out _! error z soon z "s grave disa/]   
=ces !m to make trial ( !m4 ,:]e=e1 ,i  
mu/ aga9 & aga9 repeat1 y mu/ satisfy   
y\r judgm5t be=e engag+ y\r affections3 
n love fir/ & judge aft]w>ds4 ,we suff] 
f c>elessness 9 _m ( our und]tak+s3 9   
none m ?an 9 select+ & cultivat+ our    
fri5ds4 ,we put ! c>t be=e ! horse1 &   
%ut ! /able door :5 ! /e$ is /ol51 9    
defiance ( ! old prov]b4 ,=1 hav+       
mutually involv$ ourselves 9 a long-/&+ 
intimacy or by actual obligations1 all  
on a sudd5 "s cause ( (f5ce arises & we 
break (f our fri5d%ips 9 full c>e]4     
#bc4 ,x is ?is t makes su* c>elessness 9
 a matt] ( supreme importance all ! m   
wor?y ( blame4 ,i say supreme           
importance1 because fri5d%ip is ! "o ?+ 
ab\t ! utility ( :i* ev]ybody ) "o      
accord is agre$4 ,t is n ! case 9 reg>d 
ev5 to virtue itself2 = _m p speak      
slight+ly ( virtue z ?\gh x 7 m]e puff+ 
& self-glorification4 ,nor is x ! case )
 ri*es4 ,_m look d[n on ri*es1 be+      
cont5t ) a little & tak+ pleasure 9 poor

 f>e & dress1 ,& z to ! political (fices
 = :i* "s h a burn+ desire--h[ _m       
ent]ta9 su* a contempt = !m z to ?9k    
no?+ 9 ! _w m empty & trivial6  ,& s on 
) ! re/2 ?+s desirable 9 ! eyes ( "s are
 reg>d$ by v _m z wor?less4 ,b (        
fri5d%ip all ?9k alike to a man1 :e!r ^?
 h devot$ !mselves to politics1 or ^? :o
 delight 9 sci5ce & philosophy1 or ^? :o
 foll[ a private way ( life & c>e = no?+
 b _! own bus9ess1 or ^? la/ly :o h giv5
 !mselves body & s\l to s5suality--!y   
all ?9k1 ,i say1 t )\t fri5d%ip life is 
no life1 if !y want "s "p ( x1 at any   
rate1 to be noble4 ,= fri5d%ip1 9 "o way
 or ano!r1 p5etrates into ! lives ( u   
all1 & suff]s no c>e] to be entirely    
free f its influ5ce4 ,?\gh a man be ( s 
*urli% & unsociable a nature z to loa! &
 %un ! company ( mank9d1 z we are told 0
 ! case ) a c]ta9 ,timon at ,a!ns1 yet  
ev5 he _c refra9 f seek+ "s "o 9 ^: he>+
 he may disgorge ! v5om ( 8 bitt] temp]4
 ,we %\ld see ?is mo/ cle>ly1 if x 7    
possible t "s god %\ld c>ry u away f ^! 

haunts ( m51 & place u some:]e 9 p]fect 
solitude1 & !n %\ld supply u 9 abundance
 ) ev]y?+ necess>y to our nature1 & yet 
take f u entirely ! opportunity ( look+ 
^u a human be+4 ,:o c\ld /eel himself to
 endure su* a life8 ,:o w\ld n lose 9 8 
lonel9ess ! ze/ = all pleasures8 ,&     
inde$ ?is is ! po9t ( ! obs]vation (1 ,i
 ?9k1 ,ar*ytas ( ,t>5tum4 ,i h x ?ird   
h&2 m5 :o 7 my s5iors told me t _!      
s5iors _h told !m4 ,x 0 ?is3 ,if a man  
c\ld asc5d to heav5 & get a cle> view ( 
! natural ord] ( ! univ]se1 & ! beauty (
 ! heav5ly bodies1 t wond]ful spectacle 
w\ld give him small pleasure1 ?\gh no?+ 
c\ld be conceiv$ m delightful if he _h b
 _h "s "o to :om to tell :at he _h se54 
,s true x is t nature abhors isolation1 
& ev] leans ^u some?+ z a /ay & support2
 & ?is is f\nd 9 its mo/ pleas+ =m 9 our
 close/ fri5d4  #bd4 ,b ?\gh ,nature    
also decl>es by s _m indications :at h] 
wi% & object & desire is1 we yet 9 a    
mann] turn a deaf e> & w n he> h] w>n+s4
 ,! int]c\rse betwe5 fri5ds is v>i$ &   

complex1 & x mu/ (t5 happ5 t causes (   
suspicion & (f5ce arise1 :i* a wise man 
w sometimes avoid1 at o!r times remove1 
at o!rs treat ) indulg5ce4 ,! "o        
possible cause ( (f5ce t mu/ be fac$ is 
:5 ! int]e/s ( y\r fri5d & y\r own      
s9c]ity are at /ake4 ,= in/ance1 x (t5  
happ5s t fri5ds ne$ remon/rance & ev5   
repro(4 ,:5 ^! are adm9i/]$ 9 a k9dly _s
 !y ought to be tak5 9 good "p4 ,b      
someh[ or o!r !re is tru? 9 :at my fri5d
 ,t]5ce says 9 8 ,&ria3  ,compliance    
gets u fri5ds1 pla9 speak+ hate4  ,pla9 
speak+ is a cause ( tr\ble1 if ! result 
( x is res5tm5t1 :i* is poison (        
fri5d%ip2 b compliance is really ! cause
 ( mu* m tr\ble1 because by indulg+ 8   
faults x lets a fri5d plunge into       
headlong ru94 ,b ! man :o is mo/ to     
blame is he :o res5ts pla9 speak+ &     
all[s flatt]y to egg him on to 8 ru94   
,on ?is po9t1 !n1 f fir/ to la/ !re is  
ne$ ( delib]ation & c>e4 ,if we         
remon/rate1 x %\ld be )\t bitt]ness2 if 
we reprove1 !re %\ld be no ^w ( insult4 

,9 ! matt] ( compliance 7= ,i am glad to
 adopt ,t]5ce's ^w71 ?\gh !re %\ld be e 
c\rtesy1 yet t base k9d :i* assi/s a man
 9 vice %\ld be f> f u1 = x is unwor?y (
 a free-born man1 to say no?+ ( a fri5d4
 ,x is "o ?+ to live ) a tyrant1 ano!r )
 a fri5d4 ,b if a man's e>s are s clos$ 
to pla9 speak+ t he _c be> to he> ! tru?
 f a fri5d1 we may give him up 9        
despair4 ,?is rem>k ( ,cato's1 z s _m ( 
8 did1 %ews great acut5ess3 ,!re are p  
:o owe m to bitt] enemies ?an to        
app>5tly pleasant fri5ds3 ! =m] (t5     
speak ! tru?1 ! latt] nev]4 ,besides1 x 
is a /range p>adox t ! recipi5ts (      
advice %\ld feel no annoyance :]e !y    
ought to feel x1 & yet feel s mu* :]e !y
 ought n4 ,!y are n at all vex$ at hav+ 
committ$ a fault1 b v angry at be+      
reprov$ = x4 ,on ! contr>y1 !y ought to 
be griev$ at ! crime & glad ( !         
correction4  #be4 ,well1 !n1 if x is    
true t to give & receive advice--! =m] )
 fre$om & yet )\t bitt]ness1 ! latt] )  
pati5ce & )\t irritation--is peculi>ly  

appropriate to g5u9e fri5d%ip1 x is no  
less true t !re c be no?+ m utt]ly      
subv]sive ( fri5d%ip ?an flatt]y1       
adulation1 & base compliance4 ,i use z  
_m t]ms z possible to br& ?is vice (    
light-m9d$1 untru/wor?y m51 ^: sole     
object 9 speak+ is to please )\t any    
reg>d to tru?4 ,9 ev]y?+ false pret5ce  
is bad1 = x susp5ds & vitiates our p[] (
 disc]n+ ! tru?4 ,b to no?+ x is s      
ho/ile z to fri5d%ip2 = x de/roys t     
frankness )\t :i* fri5d%ip is an empty  
"n4 ,= ! ess5ce ( fri5d%ip be+ t two    
m9ds become z "o1 h[ c t ev] take place 
if ! m9d ( ea* ( ! sep>ate p>ties to x  
is n s+le & uni=m1 b v>iable1 *angeable1
 & complex8 ,c any?+ be s pliable1 s    
wav]+1 z ! m9d ( a man ^: attitude      
dep5ds n only on ano!r's feel+ & wi%1 b 
on 8 v looks & nods8       ,if "o says  
,no1 ,i answ] ,no2      ,if ,yes1 ,i    
answ] ,yes4      ,9 f9e1 ,i've laid ?is 
task ^u myself      ,to e*o all t's     
said--  to quote my old fri5d ,t]5ce    
aga94 ,b he puts ^! words into ! m\? ( a

 ,gna?o4 ,to admit su* a man into "o's  
intimacy at all is a sign ( folly4 ,b   
!re are _m p l ,gna?o1 & x is :5 !y are 
sup]ior ei!r 9 position or =tune or     
reputation t _! flatt]ies become        
mis*iev\s1 ! weight ( _! position mak+  
up = ! lightness ( _! "*4 ,b if we only 
take reasonable c>e1 x is z easy to     
sep>ate & di/+ui% a g5u9e f a speci\s   
fri5d z any?+ else t is col\r$ &        
artificial f :at is s9c]e & g5u9e4 ,a   
public assembly1 ?\gh compos$ ( m5 ( !  
smalle/ possible culture1 nev]!less w   
see cle>ly ! diff]5ce betwe5 a m]e      
demagogue 7t is1 a flatt]] & untru/wor?y
 citiz57 & a man ( pr9ciple1 /&+1 &     
solidity4 ,x 0 by ?is k9d ( flatt]+     
language t ,gaius ,papirius ! o!r day   
endeav\r$ to tickle ! e>s ( ! assembl$  
p1 :5 propos+ 8 law to make ! tribunes  
re-eligible4 ,i spoke aga9/ x4 ,b ,i w  
leave ! p]sonal "q4 ,i pref] speak+ (   
,scipio4 ,good heav5s6 h[ impressive 8  
spee* 01 :at a maje/y !re 0 9 x6 ,y w\ld
 h pron\nc$ him1 )\t hesitation1 to be  

no m]e h5*man ( ! ,roman p1 b _! lead]4 
,h[ev]1 y 7 !re1 & moreov] h ! spee* 9  
y\r h&s4 ,! result 0 t a law meant to   
please ! p 0 by ! p's votes reject$4    
,once m to ref] to myself1 y rememb] h[ 
app>5tly popul> 0 ! law propos$ by      
,gaius ,lic9ius ,crassus ab\t ! election
 to ! ,college ( ,prie/s 9 ! consul%ip (
 ,qu9tus ,maximus1 ,scipio's bro!r1 &   
,lucius ,manc9us4 ,= ! p[] ( fill+ up _!
 own vacancies on ! "p ( ! colleges 0 by
 ?is proposal to be transf]r$ to ! p4 ,x
 0 ?is man1 by ! way1 :o began !        
practice ( turn+ t[>ds ! =um :5 address+
 ! p4 ,9 spite ( ?is1 h[ev]1 ^u my      
speak+ on ! cons]vative side1 religion  
ga9$ an easy victory ov] 8 plausible    
spee*4 ,?is took place 9 my praetor%ip1 
five ye>s be=e ,i 0 elect$ consul1 :i*  
%[s t ! cause 0 successfully ma9ta9$ m  
by ! m]its ( ! case ?an by ! pre/ige ( !
 highe/ (fice4  #bf4 ,n[1 if on a /age1 
su* z a public assembly ess5tially is1  
:]e !re is ! ample/ room = fiction &    
half-tru?s1 tru? nev]!less prevails if x

 be b fairly laid op5 & br\ght into !   
light ( day1 :at ought to happ5 9 ! case
 ( fri5d%ip1 :i* re/s entirely on       
tru?fulness8 ,fri5d%ip1 9 :i*1 unless y 
bo? see & %[ an op5 brea/1 to use a     
common expression1 y c nei!r tru/ nor be
 c]ta9 ( any?+--no1 n ev5 ( mutual      
affection1 s9ce y _c be sure ( its      
s9c]ity4 ,h[ev]1 ?is flatt]y1 injuri\s z
 x is1 c hurt no "o b ! man :o takes x 9
 & likes x4 ,& x foll[s t ! man to op5 8
 e>s wide/ to flatt]]s is he :o fir/    
flatt]s himself & is fonde/ ( himself4  
,i grant y t ,virtue naturally loves    
h]self2 = %e kn[s h]self & p]ceives h[  
wor?y ( love %e is4 ,b ,i am n n[ speak+
 ( absolute virtue1 b ( ! belief m5 h t 
!y possess virtue4 ,! fact is t few] p  
are end[$ ) virtue ?an wi% to be ?\ght  
to be s4 ,x is su* p t take delight 9   
flatt]y4 ,:5 !y are address$ 9 language 
expressly adapt$ to flatt] _! vanity1 !y
 look ^u su* empty p]siflage z a        
te/imony to ! tru? ( _! own praises4 ,x 
is n !n prop]ly fri5d%ip at all :5 ! "o 

w n li/5 to ! tru?1 & ! o!r is prep>$ to
 lie4 ,nor w\ld ! s]vility ( p>asites 9 
com$y h seem$ humor\s to u _h !re be5 no
 su* ?+s z bragg>t capta9s4 ,is ,?ais   
really mu* oblig$ to me8 ,x w\ld h be5 q
 en\gh to answ] ,mu*1 b he mu/ ne$s say 
,imm5sely4 ,y\r s]vile flatt]] always   
exagg]ates :at 8 victim wi%es to be put 
/rongly4 ,:]e=e1 ?\gh x is ) ^? :o cat* 
at & invite x t ?is flatt]+ falsehood is
 especially p[]ful1 yet m5 ev5 ( soldi] 
& /eadi] "* mu/ be w>n$ to be on ! wat* 
aga9/ be+ tak5 9 by cunn+ly disguis$    
flatt]y4 ,an op5 flatt]] any "o c       
detect1 unless he is an absolute fool ! 
cov]t ins9uation ( ! cunn+ & ! sly is   
:at we h to be /udi\sly on our gu>d     
aga9/4 ,8 detection is n by any means ! 
easie/ ?+ 9 ! _w1 = he (t5 cov]s 8      
s]vility "u ! guise ( contradiction1 &  
flatt]s by pret5d+ to dispute1 & !n at  
la/ giv+ 9 & all[+ himself to be beat51 
t ! p]son hoodw9k$ may ?9k himself to h 
be5 ! cle>]-sight$4 ,n[ :at c be m      
degrad+ ?an to be ?us hoodw9k$8 ,y mu/  

be on y\r gu>d aga9/ ?is happ5+ to y1 l 
! man 9 ! ,heiress3       ,h[ h ,i be5  
befool$6 no drivell+ dot>ds      ,on any
 /age 7 e'er s p#a;ay$ ^u4  ,= ev5 on ! 
/age we h no gross] repres5tation (     
folly ?an t ( %ort-sight$ & cr$ul\s old 
m54 ,b someh[ or o!r ,i h /ray$ away f !
 fri5d%ip ( ! p]fect1 t is ( ! wise     
7mean+1 ( c\rse1 su* wisdom z human     
nature is capable (71 to ! subject (    
vulg>1 unsub/antial fri5d%ips4 ,let u !n
 return to our orig9al !me1 & at l5g?   
br+ t1 too1 to a conclusion4  #bg4      
,well1 !n1 ,fannius & ,mucius1 ,i repeat
 :at ,i said be=e4 ,x is virtue1 virtue1
 :i* bo? creates & pres]ves fri5d%ip4   
,on x dep5ds h>mony ( int]e/1 p]man5ce1 
fidelity4 ,:5 ,virtue has re>$ h] head &
 %ewn ! light ( h] c\nt5ance1 & se5 &   
recognis$ ! same light 9 ano!r1 %e      
gravitates t[>ds x1 & 9 h] turn welcomes
 t :i* ! o!r has to %ew2 & f x spr+s up 
a flame :i* y may call love or fri5d%ip 
z y please4 ,bo? words are f ! same root
 9 ,lat92 & love is j ! cleav+ to him   

:om y love )\t ! prompt+ ( ne$ or any   
view to advantage--?\gh ?is latt]       
blossoms spontane\sly on fri5d%ip1      
little z y may h look$ = x4 ,x is ) su* 
w>m? ( feel+ t ,i *]i%$ ,lucius ,paulus1
 ,m>cus ,cato1 ,galus ,gallus1 ,publius 
,nasica1 ,tib]ius ,grac*us1 my de>      
,scipio's fa!r-9-law4 ,x %9es ) ev5     
great] w>m? :5 m5 are ( ! same age1 z 9 
! case ( ,scipio & ,lucius ,furius1     
,publius ,rupilius1 ,spurius ,mummius1 &
 myself4 ,en revan*e1 9 my old age ,i   
f9d com=t 9 ! affection ( "y m51 z 9 !  
case ( y\rselves & ,qu9tus ,tub]o3 nay  
m1 ,i delight 9 ! intimacy ( su* a v "y 
man z ,publius ,rutilius & ,aulus       
,v]g9ius4 ,& s9ce ! law ( our nature & (
 our life is t a new g5]ation is = ev]  
spr++ up1 ! mo/ desirable ?+ is t along 
) y\r contempor>ies1 ) :om y />t$ 9 !   
race1 y may also tea* :at is to u !     
goal4 ,b 9 view ( ! in/ability &        
p]i%abl5ess ( mortal ?+s1 we %\ld be    
cont9ually on ! look-out = "s to love & 
by :om to be lov$2 = if we lose         

affection & k9dl9ess f our life1 we lose
 all t gives x *>m4 ,= me1 inde$1 ?\gh  
torn away by a sudd5 /roke1 ,scipio /ill
 lives & ev] wilt live4 ,= x 0 ! virtue 
( ! man t ,i lov$1 & t has n suff]$     
dea?4 ,& x is n my eyes only1 because ,i
 _h all my life a p]sonal exp]i5ce ( x1 
t nev] lose sight ( x3 x w %9e to       
po/]ity also ) undimm$ glory4 ,no "o w  
ev] *]i% a nobl] ambition or a l(ti]    
hope )\t ?9k+ 8 memory & 8 image ! be/  
to put be=e 8 eyes4 ,i decl>e t ( all ! 
bless+s :i* ei!r =tune or nature has    
be/[$ ^u me ,i "k none to comp>e )      
,scipio's fri5d%ip4 ,9 x ,i f\nd sympa?y
 9 public1 c\nsel 9 private bus9ess2 9 x
 too a means ( sp5d+ my leisure )       
unalloy$ delight4 ,nev]1 to ! be/ ( my  
k1 did ,i (f5d him ev5 9 ! mo/ trivial  
po9t2 nev] did ,i he> a ^w f him ,i c\ld
 h wi%$ unsaid4 ,we _h "o h\se1 "o      
table1 "o /yle ( liv+2 & n only 7 we    
toge!r on =eign s]vice1 b 9 our t\rs    
also & c\ntry soj\rns4 ,:y speak ( our  
eag]ness to be ev] ga9+ "s k1 to be ev] 

le>n+ some?+1 on :i* we sp5t all our    
leisure h\rs f> f ! gaze ( ! _w8 ,if !  
recollection & memory ( ^! ?+s _h p]i%$ 
) ! man1 ,i c\ld n possibly h endur$ !  
regret = "o s closely unit$ ) me 9 life 
& affection4 ,b ^! ?+s h n p]i%$2 !y are
 r f$ & /r5g!n$ by reflexion & memory4  
,ev5 suppos+ me to h be5 entirely b]eft 
( !m1 /ill my "t ( life ( itself br+s me
 no small consolation3 = ,i _c h mu*    
long] n[ to be> ?is regret2 & ev]y?+ t  
is brief ought to be endurable1 h[ev]   
sev]e4  ,?is is all ,i _h to say on     
fri5d%ip4 ,"o piece ( advice on p>t+4   
,make up y\r m9ds to ?is4 ,virtue 7)\t  
:i* fri5d%ip is impossible7 is fir/2 b  
next to x1 & to x alone1 ! greate/ ( all
 ?+s is ,fri5d%ip4     ,,on ,,old ,,age 
#a4 ,& %\ld my s]vice1 ,titus1 ease !   
weight      ,( c>e t wr+s y\r he>t1 &   
draw ! /+      ,:i* rankles !re1 :at    
gu]don %all !re be8  ,,= ,i may address 
y1 ,atticus1 9 ! l9es 9 :i* ,flam99us 0 
address$ by ! man1       :o1 poor 9     
weal?1 0 ri* 9 hon\r's gold1  ?\gh ,i am

 well assur$ t y are n1 z ,flam99us 01  
kept on ! rack ( c>e by night & day4  ,=
 ,i "k h[ well ord]$ & equable y\r m9d  
is1 & am fully aw>e t x 0 n a surname   
alone :i* y br\ght home ) y f ,a!ns1 b  
its culture & good s5se4 ,& yet ,i h an 
idea t y are at times /irr$ to ! he>t by
 ! same circum/ances z myself4 ,to      
console y = ^! is a m s]i\s matt]1 & mu/
 be put (f to ano!r "t4 ,= ! pres5t ,i h
 resolv$ to d$icate to y an essay on    
,old ,age4 ,= f ! burd5 ( imp5d+ or at  
lea/ advanc+ age1 common to u bo?1 ,i   
w\ld d some?+ to relieve u bo? ?\gh z to
 y\rself ,i am fully aw>e t y support & 
w support x1 z y d ev]y?+ else1 )       
calmness & philosophy4 ,b directly ,i   
resolv$ to write on old age1 y at once  
occurr$ to me z des]v+ a gift ( :i* bo? 
( u might take advantage4 ,to myself1   
inde$1 ! composition ( ?is book has be5 
s delightful1 t x has n only wip$ away  
all ! disagreeables ( old age1 b has ev5
 made x luxuri\s & delightful too4      
,nev]1 !re=e1 c philosophy be prais$ z  

highly z x des]ves consid]+ t its       
fai?ful disciple is able to sp5d e p]iod
 ( 8 life ) unruffl$ feel+s4 ,h[ev]1 on 
o!r subjects ,i h spok5 at l>ge1 & %all 
(t5 speak aga93 ?is book :i* ,i h]e) s5d
 y is on ,old ,age4 ,i h put ! :ole     
disc\rse n1 z ,ali/o ( ,cos did1 9 ! m\?
 ( ,ti?onus--= a m]e fable w\ld h lack$ 
conviction--b 9 t ( ,m>cus ,cato :5 he 0
 an old man1 to give my essay great]    
weight4 ,i repres5t ,laelius & ,scipio  
at 8 h\se express+ surprise at 8 c>ry+ 8
 ye>s s lightly1 & ,cato answ]+ !m4 ,if 
he %all seem to %ew some:at m le>n+ 9   
?is disc\rse ?an he g5]ally did 9 8 own 
books1 put x d[n to ! ,greek lit]ature (
 :i* x is kn[n t he became an eag] /ud5t
 9 8 old age4 ,b :at ne$ ( m8 ,cato's   
own words w at once expla9 all ,i feel  
ab\t old age4   ,m4 ,cato4 ,publius     
,cornelius ,scipio ,africanus 7! y\ng]74
 ,gaius ,laelius4  #b4 ,scipio4 ,_m a "t
 h ,i 9 conv]sation ) my fri5d ,gaius   
,laelius "h express$ my admiration1     
,m>cus ,cato1 ( ! em95t1 nay p]fect1    

wisdom display$ by y inde$ at all po9ts1
 b above ev]y?+ because ,i h notic$ t   
old age nev] seem$ a burd5 to y1 :ile to
 mo/ old m5 x is s hateful t !y decl>e  
!mselves "u a weight heavi] ?an ,aetna4 
,cato4 ,y\r admiration is easily excit$1
 x seems1 my de> ,scipio & ,laelius4    
,m51 ( c\rse1 :o h no res\rces 9        
!mselves = secur+ a good & happy life   
f9d e age burd5some4 ,b ^? :o look = all
 happ9ess f )9 c nev] ?9k any?+ bad :i* 
nature makes inevitable4 ,9 t category  
be=e any?+ else comes old age1 to :i*   
all wi% to atta91 & at :i* all grumble  
:5 atta9$4 ,su* is ,folly's inconsi/5cy 
& unreasonabl5ess6 ,!y say t x is /eal+ 
^u !m fa/] ?an !y expect$4 ,9 ! fir/    
place1 :o compell$ !m to hug an         
illusion8 ,= 9 :at respect did old age  
/eal ^u manhood fa/] ?an manhood ^u     
*ildhood8 ,9 ! next place1 9 :at way    
w\ld old age h be5 less disagreeable to 
!m if !y 7 9 _! eight-hundr$? ye> ?an 9 
_! eightie?8 ,= _! pa/1 h[ev] long1 :5  
once x 0 pa/1 w\ld h no consolation = a 

/upid old age4 ,:]e=e1 if x is y\r wont 
to admire my wisdom--& ,i w\ld t x 7    
wor?y ( y\r good op9ion & ( my own      
surname ( ,sapi5s--x really consi/s 9 ! 
fact t ,i foll[ ,nature1 ! be/ ( guides1
 z ,i w\ld a god1 & am loyal to h]      
comm&s4 ,x is n likely1 if %e has writt5
 ! re/ ( ! play well1 t %e has be5      
c>eless ab\t ! la/ act l "s idle poet4  
,b aft] all "s la/ 0 inevitable1 j z to 
! b]ries ( a tree & ! fruits ( ! e>? !re
 comes 9 ! fulness ( "t a p]iod ( decay 
& fall4 ,a wise man w n make a grievance
 ( ?is4 ,to rebel aga9/ nature--is n t  
to fight l ! giants ) ! gods8  ,laelius4
 ,& yet1 ,cato1 y w d u a v great fav\r 
7,i v5ture to speak = ,scipio z =       
myself7 if--s9ce we all hope1 or at lea/
 wi%1 to become old m5--y w\ld all[ u to
 le>n f y 9 good "t be=e x arrives1 by  
:at me?ods we may mo/ easily acquire !  
/r5g? to support ! burd5 ( advanc+ age4 
,cato4 ,i w d s )\t d\bt1 ,laelius1     
especially if1 z y say1 x w be agreeable
 to y bo?4  ,laelius ,we d wi% v mu*1   

,cato1 if x is no tr\ble to y1 to be    
all[$ to see ! nature ( ! b\rne :i* y h 
rea*$ aft] complet+ a long j\rney1 z x  
71 ^u :i* we too are b\nd to emb>k4  #c4
 ,cato4 ,i w d ! be/ ,i c1 ,laelius4 ,x 
has (t5 be5 my =tune to be> ! compla9ts 
( my contempor>ies--l w to l1 y "k1     
accord+ to ! old prov]b--compla9ts to   
:i* m5 l ,c4 ,sal9ator & ,sp4 ,alb9us1  
:o 7 ( consul> rank & ab\t my "t1 us$ to
 give v5t4 ,!y 71 fir/1 t !y _h lo/ !   
pleasures ( ! s5ses1 )\t :i* !y did n   
reg>d life z life at all2 &1 secondly1 t
 !y 7 neglect$ by ^? f :om !y _h be5 us$
 to receive att5tions4 ,su* m5 appe> to 
me to lay ! blame on ! wrong ?+4 ,= if x
 _h be5 ! fault ( old age1 !n ^! same   
mis=tunes w\ld h befall5 me & all o!r m5
 ( advanc$ ye>s4 ,b ,i h kn[n _m ( !m :o
 nev] said a ^w ( compla9t aga9/ old    
age2 = !y 7 only too glad to be fre$ f !
 bondage ( passion1 & 7 n at all look$  
d[n ^u by _! fri5ds4 ,! fact is t !     
blame = all compla9ts ( t k9d is to be  
*>g$ to "*1 n to a p>ticul> "t ( life4  

,= old m5 :o are reasonable & nei!r     
cross-gra9$ nor *urli% f9d old age      
tol]able en\gh3 :]eas unreason &        
*urli%ness cause uneas9ess at e "t (    
life4  ,laelius ,x is z y say1 ,cato4 ,b
 p]haps "s "o may sugge/ t x is y\r l>ge
 means1 weal?1 & high position t make y 
?9k old age tol]able3 :]eas su* good    
=tune only falls to few4  ,cato4 ,!re is
 some?+ 9 t1 ,laelius1 b by no means    
all4 ,= in/ance1 ! /ory is told ( !     
answ] ( ,!mi/ocles 9 a wrangle ) a c]ta9
 ,s]iphian1 :o ass]t$ t he ow$ 8        
brilliant position to ! reputation ( 8  
c\ntry1 n to 8 own4 ,if ,i _h be5 a     
,s]iphian1 said he1 ev5 ,i %\ld nev] h  
be5 fam\s1 nor w\ld y if y _h be5 an    
,a!nian4 ,some?+ l ?is may be said ( old
 age4 ,= ! philosoph] himself c\ld n f9d
 old age easy to be> 9 ! dep?s ( pov]ty1
 nor ! fool feel x any?+ b a burd5 ?\gh 
he 7 a millionaire4 ,y may be sure1 my  
de> ,scipio & ,laelius1 t ! arms be/    
adapt$ to old age are culture & ! active
 ex]cise ( ! virtues4 ,= if !y h be5    

ma9ta9$ at e p]iod--if "o has liv$ mu* z
 well z long--! h>ve/ !y produce is     
wond]ful1 n only because !y nev] fail u 
ev5 9 our la/ days 7?\gh t 9 itself is  
supremely important71 b also because !  
consci\sness ( a well-sp5t life & !     
recollection ( _m virtu\s actions are   
exce$+ly delightful4  #d4 ,take ! case (
 ,q4 ,fabius ,maximus1 ! man1 ,i mean1  
:o recov]$ ,t>5tum4 ,:5 ,i 0 a "y man & 
he an old "o1 ,i 0 z mu* atta*$ to him z
 if he _h be5 my contempor>y4 ,= t great
 man's s]i\s dignity 0 temp]$ by c\rte\s
 mann]s1 nor _h old age made any *ange 9
 8 "*4 ,true1 he 0 n exactly an old man 
:5 my devotion to him began1 yet he 0   
nev]!less well on 9 life2 = 8 fir/      
consul%ip fell 9 ! ye> aft] my bir?4 ,:5
 q a /ripl+ ,i w5t ) him 9 8 f\r?       
consul%ip z a soldi] 9 ! ranks1 on !    
exp$ition aga9/ ,capua1 & 9 ! fif? ye>  
aft] t aga9/ ,t>5tum4 ,f\r ye>s aft] t  
,i 0 elect$ ,quae/or1 hold+ (fice 9 !   
consul%ip ( ,tuditanus & ,ce!gus1 9 :i* 
ye>1 inde$1 he z a v old man spoke 9    

fav\r ( ! ,c9cian law on gifts & fees4  
,n[ ?is man conduct$ w>s ) all ! _s (   
y\? :5 he 0 f> advanc$ 9 life1 & by 8   
p]si/5ce gradually we>i$ out ,hannibal1 
:5 riot+ 9 all ! confid5ce ( y\?4 ,h[   
brilliant are ^? l9es ( my fri5d ,ennius
 on him6       ,= u1 d[n beat5 by !     
/orms ( fate1      ,"o man by wise      
delays re/or$ ! ,/ate4      ,praise or  
dispraise mov$ n 8 con/ant mood1        
,true to 8 purpose1 to 8 c\ntry's good6 
,d[n ev]-l5g!n+ av5ues ( fame      ,?us 
%9es & %all %9e /ill 8 glori\s "n4      
,aga9 :at vigilance1 :at pr(\nd skill   
did he %[ 9 ! capture ( ,t>5tum6 ,x 0   
inde$ 9 my he>+ t he made ! fam\s retort
 to ,sal9ator1 :o _h retreat$ into !    
citadel aft] los+ ! t[n3 ,x 0 ow+ to me1
 ,qu9tus ,fabius1 t y retook ,t>5tum4 ,q
 s1 he repli$ ) a laugh2 = _h y n lo/ x1
 ,i %\ld nev] h recov]$ x4 ,nor 0 he    
less em95t 9 civil life ?an 9 w>4 ,9 8  
second consul%ip1 ?\gh 8 colleague w\ld 
n move 9 ! matt]1 he resi/$ z long z he 
c\ld ! proposal ( ! tribune ,c4         

,flam9ius to divide ! t]ritory ( !      
,pic5ians & ,gauls 9 free allotm5ts 9   
defiance ( a resolution ( ! ,s5ate4     
,aga91 ?\gh he 0 an augur1 he v5tur$ to 
say t :atev] 0 done 9 ! int]e/s ( !     
,/ate 0 done ) ! be/ possible auspices1 
t any laws propos$ aga9/ its int]e/ 7   
propos$ aga9/ ! auspices4 ,i 0 cognisant
 ( mu* t 0 admirable 9 t great man1 b   
no?+ /ruck me ) great] a/oni%m5t ?an !  
way 9 :i* he bore ! dea? ( 8 son--a man 
( brilliant "* & :o _h be5 consul4 ,8   
fun]al spee* ov] him is 9 wide          
circulation1 & :5 we read x1 is !re any 
philosoph] ( :om we d n ?9k meanly8 ,nor
 9 tru? 0 he only great 9 ! light ( day 
& 9 ! sight ( 8 fell[-citiz5s2 he 0 /ill
 m em95t 9 private & at home4 ,:at a    
weal? ( conv]sation6 ,:at weighty       
maxims6 ,:at a wide acqua9tance ) anci5t
 hi/ory6 ,:at an accurate k ( ! sci5ce (
 augury6 ,= a ,roman1 too1 he _h a great
 t9cture ( lett]s4 ,he _h a t5aci\s     
memory = milit>y hi/ory ( e sort1 :e!r (
 ,roman or =eign w>s4 ,& ,i us$ at t "t 

to enjoy 8 conv]sation ) a passionate   
eag]ness1 z ?\gh ,i already div9$1 :at  
actually turn$ out to be ! case1 t :5 he
 di$ !re w\ld be no "o to tea* me any?+4
  #e4 ,:at !n is ! purpose ( su* a long 
disquisition on ,maximus8 ,x is because 
y n[ see t an old age l 8 _c            
consci5ti\sly be call$ unhappy4 ,yet x  
is aft] all true t ev]ybody _c be a     
,scipio or a ,maximus1 ) /orm+s (       
cities1 ) battles by l& & sea1 ) w>s 9  
:i* !y !mselves comm&$1 & ) triumphs to 
recall4 ,besides ?is !re is a quiet1    
pure1 & cultivat$ life :i* produces a   
calm & g5tle old age1 su* z we h be5    
told ,plato's 01 :o di$ at 8 writ+-desk 
9 8 eighty-fir/ ye>2 or l t (           
,isocrates1 :o says t he wrote ! book   
call$ ,! ,panegyric 9 8 n9ety-f\r? ye>1 
& :o liv$ = five ye>s aft]w>ds2 :ile 8  
ma/] ,gorgias ( ,leont9i complet$ a     
hundr$ & sev5 ye>s )\t ev] relax+ 8     
dilig5ce or giv+ up "w4 ,:5 "s "o ask$  
him :y he cons5t$ to rema9 s long       
alive--,i h no fault1 said he1 to f9d ) 

old age4 ,t 0 a noble answ]1 & wor?y ( a
 s*ol>4 ,= fools impute _! own frailties
 & guilt to old age1 contr>y to !       
practice ( ,ennui1 :om ,i m5tion$ j n[4 
,9 ! l9es--       ,l "s brave /e$ t (t  
be=e      ,! ,olympic wrea? ( victory   
bore1      ,n[ by ! weight ( ye>s       
oppress$1      ,=gets ! race1 & takes 8 
re/--  he comp>es 8 own old age to t ( a
 high-spirit$ & successful race-horse4  
,& him inde$ y may v well rememb]4 ,= ! 
pres5t consuls ,titus ,flam99us &       
,manius ,acilius 7 elect$ 9 ! n9ete5?   
ye> aft] 8 dea?2 & 8 dea? occurr$ 9 !   
consul%ip ( ,caepio & ,philippus1 !     
latt] consul = ! second "t3 9 :i* ye>   
,i1 !n sixty-six ye>s old1 spoke 9 fav\r
 ( ! ,voconian law 9 a voice t 0 /ill   
/rong & ) lungs /ill s\nd2 :ile be1 ?\gh
 sev5ty ye>s old1 support$ two burd5s   
consid]$ ! heavie/ ( all--pov]ty & old  
age--9 su* a way z to be all b fond (   
!m4  ,! fact is t :5 ,i come to ?9k x   
ov]1 ,i f9d t !re are f\r reasons = old 
age be+ ?\ght unhappy3 ,fir/1 t x )draws

 u f active employm5ts2 second1 t x     
enfeebles ! body2 ?ird1 t x deprives u (
 ne>ly all physical pleasures2 f\r?1 t x
 is ! next /ep to dea?4 ,( ea* ( ^!     
reasons1 if y w all[ me1 let u exam9e ! 
=ce & ju/ice sep>ately4  #f4 ,,old ,,age
 ,,)draws ,,u ,,f ,,active ,,employm5ts4
 ,f :i* ( !m8 ,d y mean f ^? c>ri$ on by
 y\? & bodily /r5g?8 ,are !re !n no old 
m5's employm5ts to be aft] all conduct$ 
by ! intellect1 ev5 :5 bodies are weak8 
,s !n ,q4 ,maximus did no?+2 nor ,l4    
,aemilius--our fa!r1 ,scipio1 & my      
excell5t son's fa!r-9-law6 ,s ) o!r old 
m5--! ,fabricii1 ! ,guru &              
,coruncanii--:5 !y 7 support+ ! ,/ate by
 _! advice & influ5ce1 !y 7 do+ no?+6   
,to old age ,appius ,claudius _h !      
additional disadvantage ( be+ bl9d2 yet 
x 0 he :o1 :5 ! ,s5ate 0 incl9+ t[>ds a 
peace ) ,pyrrhus & 0 = mak+ a treaty1   
did n hesitate to say :at ,ennius has   
embalm$ 9 ! v]ses3       ,:i!r h sw]v$ !
 s\ls s firm ( yore8      ,is s5se gr[n 
s5seless8 ,c feet /& no m8  ,& s on 9 a 

tone ( ! mo/ passionate vehem5ce4 ,y "k 
! poem1 & ! spee* ( ,appius himself is  
extant4 ,n[1 he deliv]$ x sev5te5 ye>s  
aft] 8 second consul%ip1 !re hav+ be5 an
 int]val ( t5 ye>s betwe5 ! two         
consul%ips1 & he hav+ be5 c5sor be=e 8  
previ\s consul%ip4 ,?is w %[ y t at ! "t
 ( ! w> ) ,pyrrhus he 0 a v old man4    
,yet ?is is ! /ory h&$ d[n to u4  ,!re  
is !re=e no?+ 9 ! argum5ts ( ^? :o say t
 old age takes no "p 9 public bus9ess4  
,!y are l m5 :o w\ld say t a /e]sman    
does no?+ 9 sail+ a %ip1 because1 :ile  
"s ( ! crew are climb+ ! ma/s1 o!rs     
hurry+ up & d[n ! gangways1 o!rs pump+  
out ! bilge wat]1 he sits quietly 9 !   
/]n hold+ ! till]4 ,he does n d :at "y  
m5 d2 nev]!less he does :at is mu* m    
important & bett]4 ,! great affairs (   
life are n p]=m$ by physical /r5g?1 or  
activity1 or nimbl5ess ( body1 b by     
delib]ation1 "*1 expression ( op9ion4 ,(
 ^! old age is n only n depriv$1 b1 z a 
rule1 has !m 9 a great] degree4 ,unless 
by any *ance ,i1 :o z a soldi] 9 !      

ranks1 z milit>y tribune1 z legate1 & z 
consul h be5 employ$ 9 v>i\s k9ds ( w>1 
n[ appe> to y to be idle because n      
actively engag$ 9 w>4 ,b ,i enjo9 ^u !  
,s5ate :at is to be done1 & h[4 ,c>?age 
has long be5 h>b\r+ evil designs1 & ,i  
accord+ly proclaim w> aga9/ h] 9 good   
"t4 ,i %all nev] cease to ent]ta9 fe>s  
ab\t h] till ,i he> ( h] hav+ be5       
levell$ ) ! gr\nd4 ,! glory ( do+ t ,i  
pray t ! immortal gods may res]ve = y1  
,scipio1 s t y may complete ! task begun
 by y\r gr&-fa!r1 n[ dead m ?an         
?irty-two ye>s ago2 ?\gh all ye>s to    
come w keep t great man's memory gre54  
,he di$ 9 ! ye> be=e my c5sor%ip1 n9e   
ye>s aft] my consul%ip1 hav+ be5 return$
 consul = ! second "t 9 my own          
consul%ip4 ,if !n he _h liv$ to 8       
hundr$? ye>1 w\ld he h regrett$ hav+    
liv$ to be old8 ,= he w\ld ( c\rse n h  
be5 practis+ rapid m>*es1 nor da%+ on a 
foe1 nor hurl+ spe>s f a di/ance1 nor   
us+ swords at close qu>t]s--b only      
c\nsel1 reason1 & s5atorial eloqu5ce4 ,&

 if ^? qualities _h n resid$ 9 u s5iors1
 our ance/ors w\ld nev] h call$ _!      
supreme c\ncil a ,s5ate4 ,at ,sp>ta1    
inde$1 ^? :o hold ! highe/ magi/racies  
are 9 accordance ) ! fact actually call$
 eld]s4 ,b if y w take ! tr\ble to read 
or li/5 to =eign hi/ory1 y w f9d t !    
mightie/ ,/ates h be5 br\ght into p]il  
by "y m51 h be5 support$ & re/or$ by    
old4 ,! "q occurs 9 ! poet ,naevius's   
,sport3       ,pray1 :o are ^? :o br\ght
 y\r ,/ate      ,) su* despat* to meet  
its fate8  ,!re is a long answ]1 b ?is  
is ! *ief po9t3       ,a crop ( br&-new 
orators we grew1      ,& fooli%1 paltry 
lads :o ?\ght !y knew4  ,= ( c\rse      
ra%ness is ! note ( y\?1 prud5ce ( old  
age4  #g4 ,b1 x is said1 memory dw9dles4
 ,no d\bt1 unless y keep x 9 practice1  
or if y happ5 to be some:at dull by     
nature4 ,!mi/ocles _h ! names ( all 8   
fell[-citiz5s by he>t4 ,d y imag9e t 9 8
 old age he us$ to address ,ari/ides z  
,lysima*us8 ,= my "p1 ,i "k n only !    
pres5t g5]ation1 b _! fa!rs also1 & _!  

gr&fa!rs4 ,nor h ,i any fe> ( los+ my   
memory by read+ tomb/ones1 accord+ to ! 
vulg> sup]/ition4 ,on ! contr>y1 by     
read+ !m ,i r5ew my memory ( ^? :o are  
dead & gone4 ,nor1 9 po9t ( fact1 h ,i  
ev] he>d ( any old man =gett+ :]e he _h 
hidd5 8 money4 ,!y rememb] ev]y?+ t     
int]e/s !m3 :5 to answ] to _! bail1     
bus9ess appo9tm5ts1 :o owes !m money1 & 
to :om !y owe x4 ,:at ab\t lawy]s1      
pontiffs1 augurs1 philosoph]s1 :5 old8  
,:at a multitude ( ?+s !y rememb]6 ,old 
m5 reta9 _! intellects well en\gh1 if   
only !y keep _! m9ds active & fully     
employ$4 ,nor is t ! case only ) m5 (   
high position & great (fice3 x applies  
equally to private life & peaceful      
pursuits4 ,sophocles compos$ trag$ies to
 extreme old age2 & be+ believ$ to      
neglect ! c>e ( 8 prop]ty ow+ to 8      
devotion to 8 art1 8 sons br\ght him    
into c\rt to get a judicial decision    
depriv+ him ( ! managem5t ( 8 prop]ty on
 ! gr\nd ( weak intellect--j z 9 our law
 x is cu/om>y to deprive a pat]familias 

( ! managem5t ( 8 prop]ty if he is      
squ&]+ x4 ,!re--^u ! old poet is said to
 h read to ! judges ! play he _h on h& &
 _h j compos$--! ,o$ipus ,coloneus--& to
 h ask$ !m :e!r !y ?\ght t ! "w ( a man 
( weak intellect4 ,aft] ! read+ he 0    
acquitt$ by ! jury4 ,did old age !n     
compel ?is man to become sil5t 9 8      
p>ticul> art1 or ,hom]1 ,hesiod1        
,simonides1 or ,isocrates & ,gorgias :om
 ,i m5tion$ be=e1 or ! f\nd]s ( s*ools (
 philosophy1 ,py?agoras1 ,democritus1   
,plato1 ,x5ocrates1 or lat] ,z5o &      
,clean?us1 or ,diog5es ! ,/oic1 :om y   
too saw at ,rome8 ,is x n r ! case ) all
 ^! t ! active pursuit ( /udy only end$ 
) life8  ,b1 to pass ov] ^! sublime     
/udies1 ,i c "n "s ru/ic ,romans f !    
,sab9e di/rict1 neighb\rs & fri5ds ( my 
own1 )\t ^: pres5ce f>m "w ( importance 
is sc>cely ev] p]=m$--:e!r s[+1 or      
h>ve/+ or /or+ crops4 ,& yet 9 o!r ?+s  
?is is less surpris+2 = no "o is s old z
 to ?9k t he may n live a ye>4 ,b !y    
be/[ _! lab\r on :at !y "k does n affect

 !m 9 any case3       ,he plants 8 trees
 to s]ve a race to come1  z our poet    
,/atius says 9 8 ,comrades4 ,nor inde$  
w\ld a f>m]1 h[ev] old1 hesitate to     
answ] any "o :o ask$ him = :om he 0     
plant+3 ,= ! immortal gods1 ^: w x 0 t  
,i %\ld n m]ely receive ^! ?+s f my     
ance/ors1 b %\ld also h& !m on to ! next
 g5]ation4  #h4 ,t rem>k ab\t ! old man 
is bett] ?an ! foll[+3       ,if age    
br\ght no?+ worse ?an ?is1      ,x 7    
en\gh to m> our bliss1      ,t he :o    
bides = _m ye>s      ,sees mu* to %un & 
mu* = te>s4  ,yes1 & p]haps mu* t gives 
him pleasure too4 ,besides1 z to        
subjects = te>s1 he (t5 comes ^u !m 9   
y\? z well4  ,a /ill m que/ionable      
s5tim5t 9 ! same ,caecilius is3         
,no great] mis]y c ( age be told        
,?an ?is3 be sure1 ! "y dislike ! old4  
,delight 9 !m is ne>] ! m>k ?an dislike4
 ,= j z old m51 if !y are wise1 take    
pleasure 9 ! society ( "y m5 ( good     
p>ts1 & z old age is r5d]$ less dre>y = 
^? :o are c\rt$ & lik$ by ! y\?1 s also 

d "y m5 f9d pleasure 9 ! maxims ( ! old1
 by :i* !y are drawn to ! pursuit (     
excell5ce4 ,nor d ,i p]ceive t y f9d my 
society less pleasant ?an ,i d y\rs4 ,b 
?is is en\gh to %[ y h[1 s f> f be+     
li/less & sluggi%1 old age is ev5 a busy
 "t1 always do+ & attempt+ some?+1 (    
c\rse ( ! same nature z ea* man's ta/e  
_h be5 9 ! previ\s "p ( 8 life4 ,nay1 d 
n "s ev5 add to _! /ock ( le>n+8 ,we see
 ,solon1 = in/ance1 boa/+ 9 8 poems t he
 gr[s old daily le>n+ some?+ new4 ,or   
aga9 9 my own case1 x 0 only :5 an old  
man t ,i became acqua9t$ ) ,greek       
lit]ature1 :i* 9 fact ,i absorb$ ) su*  
avidity--9 my ye>n+ to qu5*1 z x 71 a   
long-cont9u$ ?ir/--t ,i became acqua9t$ 
) ! v facts :i* y see me n[ us+ z       
prec$5ts4 ,:5 ,i he>d :at ,socrates _h  
done ab\t ! lyre ,i %\ld h lik$ = my "p 
to h done t too1 = ! anci5ts us$ to le>n
 ! lyre b1 at any rate1 ,i work$ h>d at 
lit]ature4  #i4 ,nor1 aga91 d ,i n[     
,,miss ,,! ,,bodily ,,/r5g? ,,( ,a ,,"y 
,,man 7= t 0 ! second po9t z to !       

disadvantages ( old age7 any m ?an z a  
"y man ,i miss$ ! /r5g? ( a bull or an  
elephant4 ,y %\ld use :at y h1 & :atev] 
y may *ance to be do+1 d x ) all y\r    
might4 ,:at c\ld be weak] ?an ,milo (   
,croton's exclamation8 ,:5 9 8 old age  
he 0 wat*+ "s a?letes practis+ 9 !      
c\rse1 he is said to h look$ at 8 arms &
 to h exclaim$ ) te>s 9 8 eyes3 ,ah     
well6 ^! are n[ z good z dead4 ,n a bit 
m s ?an y\rself1 y trifl]6 ,= at no "t 7
 y made fam\s by y\r real self1 b by *e/
 & biceps4 ,sext4 ,aelius nev] gave v5t 
to su* a rem>k1 nor1 _m ye>s be=e him1  
,titus ,coruncanius1 nor1 m rec5tly1 ,p4
 ,crassus--all ( !m le>n$ juris-consults
 9 active practice1 ^: k ( _! pr(ession 
0 ma9ta9$ to _! la/ brea?4 ,i am afraid 
an orator does lose vig\r by old age1 = 
8 art is n a matt] ( ! intellect alone1 
b ( lungs & bodily /r5g?4 ,?\gh z a rule
 t musical r+ 9 ! voice ev5 ga9s 9      
brilliance 9 a c]ta9 way z "o gr[s      
old--c]ta9ly ,i h n yet lo/ x1 & y see  
my ye>s4 ,yet aft] all ! /yle ( spee*   

suitable to an old man is ! quiet &     
unemotional1 & x (t5 happ5s t ! *a/5$ & 
calm deliv]y ( an old man eloqu5t       
secures a he>+4 ,if y _c atta9 to t     
y\rself1 y might /ill in/ruct a ,scipio 
& a ,laelius4 ,= :at is m *>m+ ?an old  
age surr\nd$ by ! en?usiasm ( y\?8 ,%all
 we n all[ old age ev5 ! /r5g? to tea* !
 "y1 to tra9 & equip !m = all ! duties (
 life8 ,& :at c be a nobl] employm5t8 ,=
 my "p1 ,i us$ to ?9k ,publius & ,gnaeus
 ,scipio & y\r two gr&fa!rs1 ,l4        
,aemilius & ,p4 ,africanus1 =tunate m5  
:5 ,i saw !m ) a company ( "y nobles    
ab\t !m4 ,nor %\ld we ?9k any tea*]s ( !
 f9e arts o!rwise ?an happy1 h[ev] mu*  
_! bodily =ces may h decay$ & fail$4 ,& 
yet t same failure ( ! bodily =ces is m 
(t5 br\ght ab\t by ! vices ( y\? ?an (  
old age2 = a dissolute & intemp]ate y\? 
h&s d[n ! body to old age 9 a worn-out  
/ate4 ,x5ophon's ,cyrus1 = in/ance1 9 8 
disc\rse deliv]$ on 8 dea?-b$ & at a v  
advanc$ age1 says t he nev] p]ceiv$ 8   
old age to h become weak] ?an 8 y\? _h  

be54 ,i rememb] z a boy ,lucius         
,metellus1 :o hav+ be5 creat$ ,pontifex 
,maximus f\r ye>s aft] 8 second         
consul%ip1 held t (fice tw5ty-two ye>s1 
enjoy+ su* excell5t /r5g? ( body 9 ! v  
la/ h\rs ( 8 life z n to miss 8 y\?4 ,i 
ne$ n speak ( myself2 ?\gh t inde$ is an
 old man's way & is g5]ally all[$ to my 
"t ( life4 ,don't y see 9 ,hom] h[      
frequ5tly ,ne/or talks ( 8 own good     
qualities8 ,= he 0 liv+ ?r\gh a ?ird    
g5]ation2 nor _h he any reason to fe> t 
^u say+ :at 0 true ab\t himself he %\ld 
appe> ei!r ov] va9 or talkative4 ,=1 z  
,hom] says1 f 8 lips fl[$ disc\rse      
sweet] ?an honey1 = :i* sweet brea? he  
want$ no bodily /r5g?4 ,& yet1 aft] all1
 ! fam\s lead] ( ! ,greeks n[h]e wi%es  
to h t5 m5 l ,ajax1 b l ,ne/or3 if he   
c\ld get !m1 he feels no d\bt ( ,troy   
%ortly fall+4  #aj4 ,b to return to my  
own case3 ,i am 9 my eighty-f\r? ye>4 ,i
 c\ld wi% t ,i _h be5 able to make !    
same boa/ z ,cyrus2 b1 aft] all1 ,i c   
say ?is3 ,i am n inde$ z vigor\s z ,i 0 

z a private soldi] 9 ! ,punic w>1 or z  
quae/or 9 ! same w>1 or z consul 9      
,spa91 & f\r ye>s lat] :5 z a milit>y   
tribune ,i took "p 9 ! engagem5t at     
,!rmopylae "u ! consul ,manius ,acilius 
,glabrio2 b yet1 z y see1 old age has n 
entirely de/roy$ my muscles1 has n q    
br\ght me to ! gr\nd4 ,! ,s5ate-h\se    
does n f9d all my vig\r gone1 nor !     
ro/ra1 nor my fri5ds1 nor my cli5ts1 nor
 my =eign gue/s4 ,= ,i h nev] giv5 9 to 
t anci5t & mu*-prais$ prov]b3       ,old
 :5 "y      ,is old = long4  ,= myself1 
,i _h r be an old man a some:at %ort] "t
 ?an an old man be=e my "t4 ,accord+ly1 
no "o up to ! pres5t has wi%$ to see me1
 to :om ,i h be5 d5i$ z engag$4 ,b1 x   
may be said1 ,i h less /r5g? ?an ei!r ( 
y4 ,nei!r h y ! /r5g? ( ! c5turion ,t4  
,pontius3 is he ! m em95t man on t      
acc\nt8 ,let !re be only a prop] husb&+ 
( /r5g?1 & let ea* man proportion 8     
ef=ts to 8 p[]s4 ,su* an "o w assur$ly n
 be possess$ ) any great regret = 8 loss
 ( /r5g?4 ,at ,olympia ,milo is said to 

h /epp$ into ! c\rse c>ry+ a live ox on 
8 %\ld]s4 ,:i* !n ( ! two w\ld y pref]  
to h giv5 to y--bodily /r5g? l t1 or    
intellectual /r5g? l t ( ,py?agoras8 ,9 
f9e1 enjoy t bless+ :5 y h x2 :5 x is   
gone1 don't wi% x back--unless we are to
 ?9k t "y m5 %\ld wi% _! *ildhood back1 
& ^? some:at old] _! y\?6 ,! c\rse (    
life is fix$1 & nature admits ( its be+ 
run b 9 "o way1 & only once2 & to ea* "p
 ( our life !re is some?+ specially     
seasonable2 s t ! feebl5ess ( *ildr51 z 
well z ! high _s ( y\?1 ! sob]ness (    
matur] ye>s1 & ! ripe wisdom ( old      
age--all h a c]ta9 natural advantage :i*
 %\ld be secur$ 9 its prop] season4 ,i  
?9k y are in=m$1 ,scipio1 :at y\r       
gr&fa!r's =eign fri5d ,mas9issa does to 
?is day1 ?\gh n9ety ye>s old4 ,:5 he has
 once begun a j\rney on foot he does n  
m\nt 8 horse at all2 :5 on horseback he 
nev] gets (f 8 horse4 ,by no ra9 or cold
 c he be induc$ to cov] 8 head4 ,8 body 
is absolutely free f unheal?y hum\rs1 & 
s he /ill p]=ms all ! duties & functions

 ( a k+4 ,active ex]cise1 !re=e1 &      
temp]ance c pres]ve "s "p ( "o's =m]    
/r5g? ev5 9 old age4  #aa4 ,bodily /r5g?
 is want+ to old age2 b nei!r is bodily 
/r5g? dem&$ f old m54 ,!re=e1 bo? by law
 & cu/om1 m5 ( my "t ( life are exempt f
 ^? duties :i* _c be support$ )\t bodily
 /r5g?4 ,accord+ly n only are we n =c$  
to d :at we _c d2 we are n ev5 oblig$ to
 d z mu* z we c4 ,b1 x w be said1 _m old
 m5 are s feeble t !y _c p]=m any duty 9
 life ( any sort or k9d4 ,t is n a      
weakness to be set d[n z peculi> to old 
age3 x is "o %>$ by ill heal?4 ,h[      
feeble 0 ! son ( ,p4 ,africanus1 :o     
adopt$ y6 ,:at weak heal? he _h1 or r no
 heal? at all6 ,if t _h n be5 ! case1 we
 %\ld h _h 9 him a second brilliant     
light 9 ! political horizon2 = he _h    
add$ a wid] cultivation to 8 fa!r's     
greatness ( _s4 ,:at wond]1 !n1 t old m5
 are ev5tually feeble1 :5 ev5 "y m5 _c  
escape x8 ,my de> ,laelius & ,scipio1 we
 mu/ /& up aga9/ old age & make up = its
 drawbacks by tak+ pa9s4 ,we mu/ fight x

 z we %\ld an illness4 ,we mu/ look aft]
 our heal?1 use mod]ate ex]cise1 take j 
en\gh food & dr9k to recruit1 b n to    
ov]load1 our /r5g?4 ,nor is x ! body    
alone t mu/ be support$1 b ! intellect &
 s\l mu* m4 ,= !y are l lamps3 unless y 
fe$ !m ) oil1 !y too g out f old age4   
,aga91 ! body is apt to get gross f     
ex]cise2 b ! intellect becomes nimbl] by
 ex]cis+ itself4 ,= :at ,caecilius means
 by old dot>ds ( ! comic /age are !     
cr$ul\s1 ! =getful1 & ! slip%od4 ,^! are
 faults t d n atta* to old age z su*1 b 
to a sluggi%1 spiritless1 & sleepy old  
age4 ,"y m5 are m frequ5tly wanton &    
dissolute ?an old m52 b yet1 z x is n   
all "y m5 t are s1 b ! bad set among !m1
 ev5 s s5ile folly--usually call$       
imbecility--applies to old m5 ( uns\nd  
"*1 n to all4 ,appius gov]n$ f\r /urdy  
sons1 five daught]s1 t great e/abli%m5t1
 & all ^? cli5ts1 ?\gh he 0 bo? old &   
bl9d4 ,= he kept 8 m9d at full /ret* l a
 b[1 & nev] gave 9 to old age by gr[+   
slack4 ,he ma9ta9$ n m]ely an influ5ce1 

b an absolute comm& ov] 8 family3 8     
slaves fe>$ him1 8 sons 7 9 awe ( him1  
all lov$ him4 ,9 t family1 inde$1       
ance/ral cu/om & discipl9e 7 9 full     
vig\r4 ,! fact is t old age is          
respectable j z long z x ass]ts itself1 
ma9ta9s its prop] rights1 & is n enslav$
 to any "o4 ,= z ,i admire a "y man :o  
has some?+ ( ! old man 9 him1 s d ,i an 
old "o :o has some?+ ( a "y man4 ,! man 
:o aims at ?is may possibly become old 9
 body--9 m9d he nev] w4 ,i am n[ engag$ 
9 compos+ ! sev5? book ( my ,orig9s4 ,i 
collect all ! records ( antiquity4 ,!   
spee*es deliv]$ 9 all ! celebrat$ cases 
:i* ,i h def5d$ ,i am at ?is p>ticul> "t
 gett+ into %ape = publication4 ,i am   
writ+ treatises on augural1 pontifical1 
& civil law4 ,i am1 besides1 /udy+ h>d  
at ,greek1 & aft] ! mann] ( !           
,py?agoreans--to keep my memory 9 work+ 
ord]--,i repeat 9 ! ev5+ :atev] ,i h    
said1 he>d1 or done 9 ! c\rse ( ea* day4
 ,^! are ! ex]cises ( ! intellect1 ^! ! 
tra9+ gr\nds ( ! m9d3 :ile ,i sweat &   

lab\r on ^! ,i don't mu* feel ! loss (  
bodily /r5g?4 ,i appe> 9 c\rt = my      
fri5ds2 ,i frequ5tly att5d ! ,s5ate &   
br+ motions be=e x on my own            
responsibility1 prep>$ aft] deep & long 
reflection4 ,& ^! ,i support by my      
intellectual1 n my bodily =ces4 ,& if ,i
 7 n /rong en\gh to d ^! ?+s1 yet ,i    
%\ld enjoy my s(a--imag9+ ! v op]ations 
:i* ,i 0 n[ unable to p]=m4 ,b :at makes
 me capable ( do+ ?is is my pa/ life4 ,=
 a man :o is always liv+ 9 ! mid/ ( ^!  
/udies & lab\rs does n p]ceive :5 old   
age creeps ^u him4 ,?us1 by sl[ &       
imp]ceptible degrees life draws to its  
end4 ,!re is no sudd5 breakage2 x j     
sl[ly goes out4  #ab4 ,! ?ird *>ge aga9/
 old age is t x ,,lacks ,,s5sual        
,,pleasures4 ,:at a spl5did s]vice does 
old age r5d]1 if x takes f u ! greate/  
blot ( y\?6 ,li/51 my de> "y fri5ds1 to 
a spee* ( ,ar*ytas ( ,t>5tum1 among !   
greate/ & mo/ illu/ri\s ( m51 :i* 0 put 
into my h&s :5 z a "y man ,i 0 at       
,t>5tum ) ,q4 ,maximus4 ,no m deadly    

curse ?an s5sual pleasure has be5       
inflict$ on mank9d by nature1 to gratify
 :i* our wanton appetites are r\s$      
beyond all prud5ce or re/ra9t4 ,x is a  
fruitful s\rce ( treasons1 revolutions1 
secret communications ) ! enemy4 ,9     
fact1 !re is no crime1 no evil de$1 to  
:i* ! appetite = s5sual pleasures does n
 impel u4 ,=nications & adult]ies1 & e  
abom9ation ( t k9d1 are br\ght ab\t by !
 enticem5ts ( pleasure & by !m alone4   
,intellect is ! be/ gift ( nature or    
,god3 to ?is div9e gift & end[m5t !re is
 no?+ s inimical z pleasure4 ,= :5      
appetite is our ma/]1 !re is no place = 
self-control2 nor :]e pleasure reigns   
supreme c virtue hold its gr\nd4 ,to see
 ?is m vividly1 imag9e a man excit$ to !
 highe/ conceivable pit* ( s5sual       
pleasure4 ,x c be d\btful to no "o t su*
 a p]son1 s long z he is "u ! influ5ce (
 su* excitation ( ! s5ses1 w be unable  
to use to any purpose ei!r intellect1   
reason1 or ?\ght4 ,!re=e no?+ c be s    
execrable & s fatal z pleasure2 s9ce1 :5

 m ?an ord9>ily viol5t & la/+1 x d>k5s  
all ! light ( ! s\l4  ,^! 7 ! words     
address$ by ,ar*ytas to ! ,samnite      
,caius ,pontius1 fa!r ( ! man by :om !  
consuls ,spurius ,po/umius & ,titus     
,veturius 7 beat5 9 ! battle ( ,caudium4
 ,my fri5d ,ne>*us ( ,t>5tum1 :o _h     
rema9$ loyal to ,rome1 told me t he _h  
he>d !m repeat$ by "s old m52 & t ,plato
 ! ,a!nian 0 pres5t1 :o visit$ ,t>5tum1 
,i f9d1 9 ! consul%ip ( ,l4 ,camillus & 
,appius ,claudius4  ,:at is ! po9t ( all
 ?is8 ,x is to %[ y t1 if we 7 unable to
 scorn pleasure by ! aid ( reason &     
philosophy1 we ought to h be5 v grateful
 to old age = depriv+ u ( all incl9ation
 = t :i* x 0 wrong to d4 ,= pleasure    
h9d]s ?\ght1 is a foe to reason1 &1 s to
 speak1 bl9ds ! eyes ( ! m9d4 ,x is1    
moreov]1 entirely ali5 to virtue4 ,i 0  
sorry to h to expel ,lucius1 bro!r ( !  
gallant ,titus ,flam99us1 f ! ,s5ate    
sev5 ye>s aft] 8 consul%ip2 b ,i ?\ght x
 imp]ative to affix a /igma on an act ( 
gross s5suality4 ,= :5 he 0 9 ,gaul z   

consul1 he _h yield$ to ! entreaties ( 8
 p>am\r at a d9n]-p>ty to behead a man  
:o happ5$ to be 9 prison condemn$ on a  
capital *>ge4 ,:5 8 bro!r ,titus 0      
,c5sor1 :o prec$$ me1 he escap$2 b ,i & 
,flaccus c\ld n c\nt5ance an act ( su*  
crim9al & ab&on$ lu/1 especially z1     
besides ! p]sonal di%on\r1 x br\ght     
disgrace on ! ,gov]nm5t4  #ac4 ,i h (t5 
be5 told by m5 old] ?an myself1 :o said 
t !y _h he>d x z boys f old m51 t ,gaius
 ,fabricius 0 9 ! habit ( express+      
a/oni%m5t at hav+ he>d1 :5 envoy at !   
headqu>t]s ( k+ ,pyrrhus1 f ! ,!ssalian 
,c9eas1 t !re 0 a man ( ,a!ns :o pr(ess$
 to be a philosoph]1 & affirm$ t ev]y?+ 
we did 0 to be ref]r$ to pleasure4 ,:5  
he told ?is to ,manius ,curius &        
,publius ,decius1 !y us$ to rem>k t !y  
wi%$ t ! ,samnites & ,pyrrhus himself   
w\ld hold ! same op9ion4 ,x w\ld be mu* 
easi] to conqu] !m1 if !y _h once giv5  
!mselves ov] to s5sual indulg5ces4      
,manius ,curius _h be5 intimate ) ,p4   
,decius1 :o f\r ye>s be=e ! =m]'s       

consul%ip _h devot$ himself to dea? = ! 
,republic4 ,bo? ,fabricius &            
,coruncanius knew him also1 & f !       
exp]i5ce ( _! own lives1 z well z f !   
action ( ,p4 ,decius1 !y 7 ( op9ion t   
!re did exi/ some?+ intr9sically noble &
 great1 :i* 0 s\ght = its own sake1 & at
 :i* all ! be/ m5 aim$1 to ! contempt & 
neglect ( pleasure4 ,:y !n d ,i sp5d s  
_m words on ! subject ( pleasure8 ,:y1  
because1 f> f be+ a *>ge aga9/ old age1 
t x does n mu* feel ! want ( any        
pleasures1 x is its highe/ praise4  ,b1 
y w say1 x is depriv$ ( ! pleasures ( ! 
table1 ! heap$ up bo>d1 ! rapid pass+ ( 
! w9e-cup4 ,well1 !n1 x is also free f  
heada*e1 disord]$ dige/ion1 brok5 sleep4
 ,b if we mu/ grant pleasure some?+1    
s9ce we d n f9d x easy to resi/ its     
*>ms1--= ,plato1 ) happy inspiration1   
calls pleasure vice's bait1 because (   
c\rse m5 are caught by x z fi% by a     
hook1--yet1 al?\gh old age has to ab/a9 
f extravagant banquets1 x is /ill       
capable ( enjoy+ mode/ fe/ivities4 ,z a 

boy ,i (t5 us$ to see ,gaius ,duilius ! 
son ( ,m>cus1 !n an old man1 return+ f a
 d9n]-p>ty4 ,he ?or\ghly enjoy$ !       
frequ5t use ( tor* & flute-play]1       
di/9ctions :i* he _h assum$ ?\gh        
unprec$5t$ 9 ! case ( a private p]son4  
,x 0 ! privilege ( 8 glory4 ,b :y m5tion
 o!rs8 ,i w come back to my own case4   
,to beg9 )1 ,i h always rema9$ a memb] (
 a club--clubs1 y "k1 7 e/abli%$ 9 my   
quae/or%ip on ! reception ( ! ,magna    
,mat] f ,ida4 ,s ,i us$ to d9e at _!    
fea/ ) ! memb]s ( my club--on ! :ole )  
mod]ation1 ?\gh !re 0 a c]ta9 w>m? (    
temp]am5t natural to my "t ( life2 b z t
 advances !re is a daily decrease ( all 
excitem5t4 ,nor 0 ,i1 9 fact1 ev] wont  
to measure my enjoym5t ev5 ( ^! banquets
 by ! physical pleasures !y gave m ?an  
by ! ga!r+ & conv]sation ( fri5ds4 ,= x 
0 a good idea ( our ance/ors to /yle !  
pres5ce ( gue/s at a d9n]-table--see+ t 
x impli$ a community ( enjoym5t--a      
convivium1 a liv+ toge!r4 ,x is a bett] 
t]m ?an ! ,greek words :i* mean a dr9k+ 

toge!r1 or1 an eat+ toge!r4 ,= !y w\ld  
seem to give ! pref]5ce to :at is really
 ! lea/ important "p ( x4  #ad4 ,=      
myself1 ow+ to ! pleasure ,i take 9     
conv]sation1 ,i enjoy ev5 banquets t    
beg9 e>ly 9 ! aft]noon1 & n only 9      
company ) my contempor>ies--( :om v few 
survive--b also ) m5 ( y\r age & )      
y\rselves4 ,i am ?ankful to old age1 :i*
 has increas$ my avidity = conv]sation1 
:ile x has remov$ t = eat+ & dr9k+4 ,b  
if anyone does enjoy ^!--n to seem to h 
proclaim$ w> aga9/ all pleasure )\t     
exception1 :i* is p]haps a feel+ inspir$
 by nature--,i fail to p]ceive ev5 9 ^! 
v pleasures t old age is entirely )\t ! 
p[] ( appreciation4 ,= myself1 ,i take  
delight ev5 9 ! old-fa%ion$ appo9tm5t ( 
ma/] ( ! fea/2 & 9 ! arrangem5t ( !     
conv]sation1 :i* accord+ to ance/ral    
cu/om is begun f ! la/ place on !       
left-h& c\* :5 ! w9e is br\ght 92 z also
 9 ! cups :i*1 z 9 ,x5ophon's banquet1  
are small & fill$ by driblets2 & 9 !    
contrivance = cool+ 9 summ]1 & = w>m+ by

 ! w9t] sun or w9t] fire4 ,^! ?+s ,i    
keep up ev5 among my ,sab9e c\ntrym51 & 
e day h a full d9n]-p>ty ( neighb\rs1   
:i* we prolong z f> into ! night z we c 
) v>i$ conv]sation4  ,b y may urge--!re 
is n ! same t+l+ s5sation ( pleasure 9  
old m54 ,no d\bt2 b nei!r d !y miss x s 
mu*4 ,= no?+ gives y uneas9ess :i* y d n
 miss4 ,t 0 a f9e answ] ( ,sophocles to 
a man :o ask$ him1 :5 9 extreme old age1
 :e!r he 0 /ill a lov]4 ,heav5 =bid6 he 
repli$2 ,i 0 only too glad to escape f  
t1 z ?\gh f a boori% & insane ma/]4 ,to 
m5 inde$ :o are ke5 aft] su* ?+s x may  
possibly appe> disagreeable &           
uncom=table to be )\t !m2 b to jad$     
appetites x is pleasant] to lack ?an to 
enjoy4 ,h[ev]1 he _c be said to lack :o 
does n want3 my cont5tion is t n to want
 is ! pleasant] ?+4  ,b ev5 grant+ t y\?
 enjoys ^! pleasures ) m ze/2 9 ! fir/  
place1 !y are insignificant ?+s to      
enjoy1 z ,i h said2 & 9 ! second place1 
su* z age is n entirely )\t1 if x does n
 possess !m 9 pr(usion4 ,j z a man gets 

great] pleasure f ,ambivius ,turpio if  
seat$ 9 ! front r[ at ! !atre ?an if he 
0 9 ! la/1 yet1 aft] all1 ! man 9 ! la/ 
r[ does get pleasure2 s y\?1 because x  
looks at pleasures at clos] qu>t]s1     
p]haps enjoys itself m1 yet ev5 old age1
 look+ at !m f a di/ance1 does enjoy    
itself well en\gh4 ,:y1 :at bless+s are 
^!--t ! s\l1 hav+ s]v$ its "t1 s to     
speak1 9 ! campaigns ( desire &         
ambition1 rivalry & hatr$1 & all !      
passions1 %\ld live 9 its own ?\ghts1 &1
 z ! expression goes1 %\ld dwell ap>t6  
,inde$1 if x has 9 /ore any ( :at ,i may
 call ! food ( /udy & philosophy1 no?+ c
 be pleasant] ?an an old age ( leisure4 
,we 7 witnesses to ,c4 ,gallus--a fri5d 
( y\r fa!r's1 ,scipio--int5t to ! day ( 
8 dea? on mapp+ out ! sky & l&4 ,h[ (t5 
did ! light surprise him :ile /ill work+
 out a problem begun dur+ ! night6 ,h[  
(t5 did night f9d him busy on :at he _h 
begun at dawn6 ,h[ he delight$ 9 pr$ict+
 = u sol> & lun> eclipses long be=e !y  
occurr$6 ,or aga9 9 /udies ( a light]   

nature1 ?\gh /ill requir+ ke5ness (     
intellect1 :at pleasure ,naevius took 9 
8 ,punic ,w>6 ,plautus 9 8 ,trucul5tus &
 ,pseudolus6 ,i ev5 saw ,livius         
,&ronicus1 :o1 hav+ produc$ a play six  
ye>s be=e ,i 0 born--9 ! consul%ip (    
,c5to & ,tuditanus--liv$ till ,i _h     
become a "y man4 ,:y speak ( ,publius   
,lic9ius ,crassus's devotion to         
pontifical & civil law1 or ( ! ,publius 
,scipio ( ! pres5t "t1 :o )9 ^! la/ few 
days has be5 creat$ ,pontifex ,maximus8 
,& yet ,i h se5 all :om ,i h m5tion$    
ard5t 9 ^! pursuits :5 old m54 ,!n !re  
is ,m>cus ,ce!gus1 :om ,ennius ju/ly    
call$ ,p]suasion's ,m>r[--) :at         
en?usiasm did we see him ex]t himself 9 
oratory ev5 :5 q old6 ,:at pleasures are
 !re 9 fea/s1 games1 or mi/resses       
comp>able to pleasures su* z ^!8 ,& !y  
are all ta/es1 too1 connect$ ) le>n+1   
:i* 9 m5 ( s5se & good education gr[ )  
_! gr[?4 ,x is inde$ an hon\rable       
s5tim5t :i* ,solon expresses 9 a v]se   
:i* ,i h quot$ be=e--t he grew old le>n+

 _m a fre% lesson e day4 ,?an t         
intellectual pleasure none c]ta9ly c be 
great]4  #ae4 ,i come n[ to ! pleasures 
( ! f>m]1 9 :i* ,i take amaz+ delight4  
,^! are n h9d]$ by any ext5t ( old age1 
& seem to me to approa* ne>e/ to ! ideal
 wise man's life4 ,= he has to deal ) ! 
e>?1 :i* nev] refuses its ob$i5ce1 nor  
ev] returns :at x has receiv$ )\t usury2
 sometimes1 inde$1 ) less1 b g5]ally )  
great] int]e/4 ,= my "p1 h[ev]1 x is n  
m]ely ! ?+ produc$1 b ! e>?'s own =ce & 
natural productiv5ess t delight me4 ,=  
receiv$ 9 its bosom ! se$ scatt]$       
broadca/ ^u x1 s(t5$ & brok5 up1 %e fir/
 keeps x conceal$ !re9 7h5ce ! h>r[+ :i*
 accompli%es ?is gets its "n f a ^w     
mean+ to hide72 next1 :5 x has be5 w>m$ 
by h] heat & close pressure1 %e splits x
 op5 & draws f x ! gre5]y ( ! blade4    
,?is1 support$ by ! fibres ( ! root1    
little by little gr[s up1 & held upright
 by its jo9t$ /alk is enclos$ 9 %ea?s1 z
 be+ /ill immature4 ,:5 x has em]g$ f !m
 x produces an e> ( corn arrang$ 9 ord]1

 & is def5d$ aga9/ ! peck+ ( ! small]   
birds by a regul> palisade ( spikes4    
,ne$ ,i m5tion ! />t+1 plant+1 & gr[? ( 
v9es8 ,i c nev] h too mu* ( ?is         
pleasure--to let y into ! secret ( :at  
gives my old age repose & amusem5t4 ,=  
,i say no?+ "h ( ! natural =ce :i* all  
?+s propagat$ f ! e>? possess--! e>? :i*
 f t t9y gra9 9 a fig1 or ! grape-/one 9
 a grape1 or ! mo/ m9ute se$s ( ! o!r   
c]eals & plants1 produces su* huge      
trunks & b\ghs4 ,mallet-%oots1 slips1   
cutt+s1 quicksets1 lay]s--are !y n en\gh
 to fill anyone ) delight & a/oni%m5t8  
,! v9e by nature is apt to fall1 &      
unless support$ drops d[n to ! e>?2 yet 
9 ord] to keep itself upright x embraces
 :atev] x rea*es ) its t5drils z ?\gh !y
 7 h&s4 ,!n z x creeps on1 spread+      
itself 9 intricate & wild pr(usion1 !   
dress]'s art prunes x ) ! knife &       
prev5ts x gr[+ a =e/ ( %oots & exp&+ to 
excess 9 e direction4 ,accord+ly at !   
beg9n+ ( spr+ 9 ! %oots :i* h be5 left  
!re protrudes at ea* ( ! jo9ts :at is   

t]m$ an eye4 ,f ?is ! grape em]ges & %[s
 itself2 :i*1 swoll5 by ! juice ( ! e>? 
& ! heat ( ! sun1 is at fir/ v bitt] to 
! ta/e1 b aft]w>ds gr[s sweet z x       
matures2 & be+ cov]$ ) t5drils is nev]  
)\t a mod]ate w>m?1 & yet is able to w>d
 (f ! fi]y heat ( ! sun4 ,c any?+ be    
ri*] 9 product or m beautiful to        
contemplate8 ,x is n its utility only1 z
 ,i said be=e1 t *>ms me1 b ! me?od (   
its cultivation & ! natural process (   
its gr[?3 ! r[s ( uprights1 !           
cross-pieces = ! tops ( ! plants1 ! ty+ 
up ( ! v9es & _! propagation by lay]s1 !
 prun+1 to :i* ,i h already ref]r$1 ( "s
 %oots1 ! sett+ ( o!rs4 ,i ne$ h>dly    
m5tion irrigation1 or tr5*+ & digg+ !   
soil1 :i* mu* increase its f]tility4 ,z 
to ! advantages ( manur+ ,i h spok5 9 my
 book on agriculture4 ,! le>n$ ,hesiod  
did n say a s+le ^w on ?is subject1 ?\gh
 he 0 writ+ on ! cultivation ( ! soil2  
yet ,hom]1 :o 9 my op9ion 0 _m g5]ations
 e>li]1 repres5ts ,la]tes z s(t5+ 8     
regret = 8 son by cultivat+ & manur+ 8  

f>m4 ,nor is x only 9 cornfields &      
mead[s & v9ey>ds & plantations t a      
f>m]'s life is made *e]ful4 ,!re are !  
g>d5 & ! or*>d1 ! fe$+ ( %eep1 ! sw>ms (
 bees1 endless v>ieties ( fl[]s4 ,nor is
 x only plant+ out t *>ms3 !re is also  
graft+--surely ! mo/ +5i\s inv5tion ev] 
made by husb&m54  #af4 ,i might cont9ue 
my li/ ( ! delights ( c\ntry life2 b ev5
 :at ,i h said ,i ?9k is some:at ov]    
long4 ,h[ev]1 y mu/ p>don me2 = f>m+ is 
a v fav\rite hobby ( m9e1 & old age is  
naturally r g>rul\s--= ,i w\ld n be     
?\ght to acquit x ( all faults4  ,well1 
x 0 9 a life ( ?is sort t ,manius       
,curius1 aft] celebrat+ triumphs ov] !  
,samnites1 ! ,sab9es1 & ,pyrrhus1 sp5t 8
 la/ days4 ,:5 ,i look at 8 villa--= x  
is n f> f my own--,i nev] c en\gh admire
 ! man's own frugality or ! _s ( ! age4 
,z ,curius 0 sitt+ at 8 he>? !          
,samnites1 :o br\ght him a l>ge sum (   
gold1 7 repuls$ by him2 = x 0 n1 he     
said1 a f9e ?+ 9 8 eyes to possess gold1
 b to rule ^? :o possess$ x4 ,c\ld su* a

 high _s fail to make old age pleasant8 
,b to return to f>m]s--n to w&] f my own
 meti]4 ,9 ^? days !re 7 s5ators1 i4 e4 
old m51 on _! f>ms4 ,= ,l4 ,qu9ctius    
,c9c9natus 0 actually at ! pl\gh :5 ^w 0
 br\ght him t he _h be5 nam$ ,dictator4 
,x 0 by 8 ord] z ,dictator1 by ! way1 t 
,c4 ,s]vilius ,ahala1 ! ,ma/] ( !       
,horse1 seiz$ & put to dea? ,spurius    
,maelius :5 attempt+ to obta9 royal p[]4
 ,curius z well z o!r old m5 us$ to     
receive _! summonses to att5d ! ,s5ate 9
 _! f>m-h\ses1 f :i* circum/ance !      
summon]s 7 call$ viatores or travell]s4 
,0 ^! m5's old age an object ( pity :o  
f\nd _! pleasure 9 ! cultivation ( ! l&8
 ,9 my op9ion1 sc>cely any life c be m  
bless$1 n alone f its utility 7=        
agriculture is b5eficial to ! :ole human
 race71 b also z mu* f ! m]e pleasure ( 
! ?+1 to :i* ,i h already allud$1 & f ! 
ri* abundance & supply ( all ?+s        
necess>y = ! food ( man & = ! wor%ip ( !
 gods above4 ,s1 z ^! are objects (     
desire to c]ta9 p1 let u make our peace 

) pleasure4 ,= ! good & h>d-work+ f>m]'s
 w9e-cell> & oil-/ore1 z well z 8 l>d]1 
are always well fill$1 & 8 :ole f>m-h\se
 is ri*ly furni%$4 ,x ab\nds 9 pigs1    
goats1 lambs1 f[ls1 milk1 *eese1 &      
honey4 ,!n !re is ! g>d51 :i* ! f>m]s   
!mselves call _! second flit*4 ,a ze/ & 
flav\r is add$ to all ^! by hunt+ & f[l+
 9 sp>e h\rs4 ,ne$ ,i m5tion ! gre5]y ( 
mead[s1 ! r[s ( trees1 ! beauty ( v9ey>d
 & olive-grove8 ,i w put x briefly3 no?+
 c ei!r furni% necess>ies m ri*ly1 or   
pres5t a fair] spectacle1 ?an           
well-cultivat$ l&4 ,& to ! enjoym5t ( t1
 old age does n m]ely pres5t no         
h9drance--x actually invites & allures  
to x4 ,= :]e else c x bett] w>m itself1 
ei!r by bask+ 9 ! sun or by sitt+ by !  
fire1 or at ! prop] "t cool itself m    
:olesomely by ! help ( %ade or wat]8    
,let ! "y keep _! arms !n to !mselves1  
_! horses1 spe>s1 _! foils & ball1 _!   
swimm+ ba?s & runn+ pa?4 ,to u old m5   
let !m1 out ( ! _m =ms ( sport1 leave   
dice & c\nt]s2 b ev5 t z !y *oose1 s9ce 

old age c be q happy )\t !m4  #ag4      
,x5ophon's books are v useful = _m      
purposes4 ,pray g on read+ !m )         
att5tion1 z y h ev] done4 ,9 :at ample  
t]ms is agriculture laud$ by him 9 !    
book ab\t husb&+ "o's prop]ty1 :i* is   
call$ ,oceonomicus6 ,b to %[ y t he     
?\ght no?+ s wor?y ( a pr9ce z ! ta/e = 
cultivat+ ! soil1 ,i w translate :at    
,socrates says to ,critobulus 9 t book3 
,:5 t mo/ gallant ,lac$aemonian ,lys&]  
came to visit ! ,p]sian pr9ce ,cyrus at 
,s>dis1 s em95t = 8 "* & ! glory ( 8    
rule1 br++ him pres5ts f 8 allies1 he   
treat$ ,lys&] 9 all ways ) c\rte\s      
famili>ity & k9dness1 &1 among o!r ?+s1 
took him to see a c]ta9 p>k c>efully    
plant$4 ,lys&] express$ admiration ( !  
height ( ! trees & ! exact arrangem5t ( 
_! r[s 9 ! qu9cunx1 ! c>eful cultivation
 ( ! soil1 its fre$om f we$s1 & !       
sweetness ( ! od\rs exhal$ f ! fl[]s1 & 
w5t on to say t :at he admir$ 0 n !     
indu/ry only1 b also ! skill ( ! man by 
:om ?is _h be5 plann$ & laid out4 ,cyrus

 repli$3 ',well1 x 0 ,i :o plann$ ! :ole
 ?+ ^! r[s are my do+1 ! lay+ out is all
 m9e2 _m ( ! trees 7 ev5 plant$ by own  
h&4' ,!n ,lys&]1 look+ at 8 purple robe1
 ! brilliance ( 8 p]son1 & 8 adornm5t   
,p]sian fa%ion ) gold & _m jewels1 said3
 ',p are q "r1 ,cyrus1 to call y happy1 
s9ce ! advantages ( high =tune h be5    
jo9$ to an excell5ce l y\rs4'  ,?is k9d 
( good =tune1 !n1 x is 9 ! p[] ( old m5 
to enjoy2 nor is age any b> to our      
ma9ta9+ pursuits ( e o!r k9d1 &         
especially ( agriculture1 to ! v extreme
 v]ge ( old age4 ,= in/ance1 we h x on  
record t ,m4 ,val]ius ,corvus kept x up 
to 8 hundr$? ye>1 liv+ on 8 l& &        
cultivat+ x aft] 8 active c>e] 0 ov]1   
?\gh betwe5 8 fir/ & six? consul%ips !re
 0 an int]val ( six & =ty ye>s4 ,s t he 
_h an (ficial c>e] la/+ ! numb] ( ye>s  
:i* our ance/ors def9$ z com+ betwe5    
bir? & ! beg9n+ ( old age4 ,moreov]1 t  
la/ p]iod ( 8 old age 0 m bless$ ?an t (
 8 middle life1 inasmu* z he _h great]  
influ5ce & less lab\r4 ,= ! cr[n+ grace 

( old age is influ5ce4  ,h[ great 0 t ( 
,l4 ,caecilius ,metellus6 ,h[ great t ( 
,atilius ,calat9us1 ov] :om ! fam\s     
epitaph 0 plac$1 ,v _m classes agree 9  
deem+ ?is to h be5 ! v fir/ man ( !     
nation6 ,! l9e cut on 8 tomb is well    
kn[n4 ,x is natural1 !n1 t a man %\ld h 
_h influ5ce1 9 ^: praise ! v]dict (     
hi/ory is unanim\s4 ,aga91 9 rec5t      
times1 :at a great man 0 ,publius       
,crassus1 ,pontifex ,maximus1 & 8       
successor 9 ! same (fice1 ,m4 ,lepidus6 
,i ne$ sc>cely m5tion ,paulus or        
,africanus1 or1 z ,i did be=e1 ,maximus4
 ,x 0 n only _! s5atorial utt]ances t _h
 weight3 _! lea/ ge/ure _h x also4 ,9   
fact1 old age1 especially :5 x has      
enjoy$ hon\rs1 has an influ5ce wor? all 
! pleasures ( y\? put toge!r4  #ah4 ,b  
?r\gh\t my disc\rse rememb] t my        
panegyric applies to an old age t has   
be5 e/abli%$ on f\ndations laid by y\?4 
,f :i* may be d$uc$ :at ,i once said )  
univ]sal applause1 t x 0 a wret*$ old   
age t _h to def5d itself by spee*4      

,nei!r :ite hairs nor wr9kles c at once 
claim influ5ce 9 !mselves3 x is !       
hon\rable conduct ( e>li] days t is     
rew>d$ by possess+ influ5ce at ! la/4   
,ev5 ?+s g5]ally reg>d$ z trifl+ &      
matt]s ( c\rse--be+ salut$1 be+ c\rt$1  
hav+ way made = "o1 p ris+ :5 "o        
approa*es1 be+ escort$ to & f ! =um1 be+
 ref]r$ to = advice--all ^! are m>ks (  
respect1 obs]v$ among u & 9 o!r         
,/ates--always mo/ s$ul\sly :]e ! moral 
tone is highe/4 ,!y say t ,lys&] !      
,sp>tan1 :om ,i h m5tion$ be=e1 us$ to  
rem>k t ,sp>ta 0 ! mo/ dignifi$ home =  
old age2 = t n[h]e 0 m respect paid to  
ye>s1 no-:]e 0 old age held 9 high]     
hon\r4 ,nay1 ! /ory is told ( h[ :5 a   
man ( advanc$ ye>s came into ! !atre at 
,a!ns :5 ! games 7 go+ on1 no place 0   
giv5 him any:]e 9 t l>ge assembly by 8  
own c\ntrym52 b :5 he came ne> !        
,lac$aemonians1 :o z ambassadors _h a   
fix$ place assign$ to !m1 !y rose z "o  
man out ( respect = him1 & gave ! vet]an
 a seat4 ,:5 !y 7 greet$ ) r\nds (      

applause f ! :ole audi5ce1 "o ( !m      
rem>k$3  ,! ,a!nians "k :at is "r1 b w n
 d x4 ,!re are _m excell5t rules 9 our  
augural college1 b among ! be/ is "o :i*
 affects our subject--t prec$5ce 9 spee*
 goes by s5iority2 & augurs :o are old] 
are pref]r$ only to ^? :o h held high]  
(fice1 b ev5 to ^? :o are actually 9    
possession ( imp]ium4 ,:at !n are !     
physical pleasures to be comp>$ ) !     
rew>d ( influ5ce8 ,^? :o h employ$ x )  
di/9ction appe> to me to h play$ ! drama
 ( life to its end1 & n to h brok5 d[n 9
 ! la/ act l unpractis$ play]s4  ,b1 x w
 be said1 old m5 are fretful1 fidgety1  
ill-temp]$1 & disagreeable4 ,if y come  
to t1 !y are also av>ici\s4 ,b ^! are   
faults ( "*1 n ( ! "t ( life4 ,&1 aft]  
all1 fretfulness & ! o!r faults ,i      
m5tion$ admit ( "s excuse--n1 inde$1 a  
complete "o1 b "o t may possibly pass   
mu/]3 !y ?9k !mselves neglect$1 look$   
d[n ^u1 mock$1 ,besides ) bodily        
weakness e rub is a s\rce ( pa94 ,yet   
all ^! faults are s(t5$ bo? by good "* &

 good education4 ,illu/rations ( ?is may
 be f\nd 9 real life1 z also on ! /age 9
 ! case ( ! bro!rs 9 ! ,adeiphi4 ,:at   
h>%ness 9 ! "o1 :at graci\s mann]s 9 !  
o!r ,! fact is t1 j z x is n e w9e1 s x 
is n e life1 t turns s\r f keep+1 ,s]i\s
 gravity ,i approve ( 9 old age1 b1 z 9 
o!r ?+s1 x mu/ be )9 due limits3        
bitt]ness ,i c 9 no case approve4 ,:at !
 object ( s5ile av>ice may be ,i _c     
conceive4 ,= c !re be any?+ m absurd ?an
 to seek m j\rney money1 ! less !re     
rema9s ( ! j\rney8  #ai4 ,!re rema9s !  
f\r? reason1 :i* m ?an any?+ else appe>s
 to torm5t m5 ( my age & keep !m 9 a    
flutt]--,,! ,,ne>ness ,,( ,,dea?1 :i*1 x
 mu/ be all[$1 _c be f> f an old man4 ,b
 :at a poor dot>d mu/ he be :o has n    
le>nt 9 ! c\rse ( s long a life t dea?  
is n a ?+ to be fe>$8 ,dea?1 t is ei!r  
to be totally disreg>d$1 if x entirely  
ext+ui%es ! s\l1 or is ev5 to be desir$1
 if x br+s him :]e he is to exi/ =ev]4  
,a ?ird alt]native1 at any rate1 _c     
possibly be discov]$4 ,:y !n %\ld ,i be 

afraid if ,i am de/9$ ei!r n to be      
mis]able aft] dea? or ev5 to be happy8  
,aft] all1 :o is su* a fool z to feel   
c]ta9--h[ev] "y he may be--t he w be    
alive 9 ! ev5+8 ,nay1 t "t ( life has _m
 m *ances ( dea? ?an ours1 ,"y m5 m     
easily contract diseases2 _! illnesses  
are m s]i\s2 _! treatm5t has to be m    
sev]e4 ,accord+ly1 only a few arrive at 
old age4 ,if t 7 n s1 life w\ld be      
conduct$ bett] & m wisely2 = x is 9 old 
m5 t ?\ght1 reason1 & prud5ce are to be 
f\nd2 & if !re _h be5 no old m51 ,/ates 
w\ld nev] h exi/$ at all4 ,b ,i return  
to ! subject ( ! imm95ce ( dea?4 ,:at   
sort ( *>ge is ?is aga9/ old age1 :5 y  
see t x is %>$ by y\?8 ,i _h reason 9 ! 
case ( my excell5t son--z y _h1 ,scipio1
 9 t ( y\r bro!rs1 :o 7 expect$ to atta9
 ! highe/ hon\rs--to realise t dea? is  
common to e "t ( life4 ,yes1 y w say2 b 
a "y man expects to live long2 an old   
man _c expect to d s4 ,well1 he is a    
fool to expect x4 ,= :at c be m fooli%  
?an to reg>d ! unc]ta9 z c]ta91 ! false 

z true8 ,an old man has no?+ ev5 to     
hope4 ,ah1 b x is j !re t he is 9 a     
bett] position ?an a "y man1 s9ce :at ! 
latt] only hopes he has obta9$4 ,! "o   
wi%es to live long2 ! o!r has liv$ long4
  ,& yet1 good heav56 :at is long 9 a   
man's life8 ,= grant ! utmo/ limit3 let 
u expect an age l t ( ! ,k+ ( !         
,t>tessi4 ,= !re 01 z ,i f9d record$1 a 
c]ta9 ,aga?onius at ,gades :o reign$    
eighty ye>s & liv$ a hundr$ & tw5ty4 ,b 
to my m9d no?+ seems ev5 long 9 :i* !re 
is any la/1 = :5 t arrives1 !n all ! pa/
 has slipp$ away--only t rema9s to :i* y
 h atta9$ by virtue & righte\s actions4 
,h\rs inde$1 & days & mon?s & ye>s      
dep>t1 nor does pa/ "t ev] return1 nor c
 ! future be kn[n4 ,:atev] "t ea* is    
grant$ = life1 ) t he is b\nd to be     
cont5t4 ,an actor1 9 ord] to e>n        
approval1 is n b\nd to p]=m ! play f    
beg9n+ to end2 let him only satisfy !   
audi5ce 9 :atev] act he appe>s4 ,nor ne$
 a wise man g on to ! conclud+ plaudite4
 ,= a %ort t]m ( life is long en\gh =   

liv+ well & hon\rably4 ,b if y g f>!r1 y
 h no m "r to grumble ?an f>m]s d       
because ! *>m ( ! spr+ season is pa/ & !
 summ] & autumn h come4 ,= ! ^w spr+ 9 a
 way sugge/s y\?1 & po9ts to ! h>ve/ to 
be3 ! o!r seasons are suit$ = ! reap+ & 
/or+ ( ! crops4 ,n[ ! h>ve/ ( old age   
is1 z ,i h (t5 said1 ! memory & ri* /ore
 ( bless+s laid up 9 easi] life4 ,aga91 
all ?+s t accord ) nature are to be     
c\nt$ z good4 ,b :at c be m 9 accordance
 ) nature ?an = old m5 to die8 ,a ?+1   
inde$1 :i* also befalls "y m51 ?\gh     
nature revolts & fights aga9/ x4        
,accord+ly1 ! dea? ( "y m5 seems to me l
 putt+ out a great fire ) a deluge (    
wat]2 b old m5 die l a fire go+ out     
because x has burnt d[n ( its own nature
 )\t artificial means4 ,aga91 j z apples
 :5 unripe are torn f trees1 b :5 ripe &
 mell[ drop d[n1 s x is viol5ce t takes 
life f "y m51 rip5ess f old4 ,?is       
rip5ess is s delightful to me1 t1 z ,i  
approa* ne>] to dea?1 ,i seem z x 7 to  
be sight+ l&1 & to be com+ to port at   

la/ aft] a long voyage4  #bj4 ,aga91 !re
 is no fix$ bord]l9e = old age1 & y are 
mak+ a good & prop] use ( x z long z y c
 satisfy ! call ( duty & disreg>d dea?4 
,! result ( ?is is1 t old age is ev5 m  
confid5t & c\rage\s ?an y\?4 ,t is !    
mean+ ( ,solon's answ] to ! tyrant      
,pisi/ratus4 ,:5 ! latt] ask$ him :at he
 reli$ ^u 9 oppos+ him ) su* boldness1  
he is said to h repli$1 ,on my old age4 
,b t end ( life is ! be/1 :51 )\t !     
intellect or s5ses be+ impair$1 ,nature 
h]self takes to pieces h] own h&iwork   
:i* %e also put toge!r4 ,j z ! build] ( 
a %ip or a h\se c break !m up m easily  
?an any "o else1 s ! nature t knit      
toge!r ! human frame c also be/ unfa/5  
x4 ,moreov]1 a ?+ fre%ly glu$ toge!r is 
always difficult to pull asund]2 if old1
 ?is is easily done4  ,! result is t !  
%ort "t ( life left to !m is n to be    
grasp$ at by old m5 ) gre$y eag]ness1 or
 ab&on$ )\t cause4 ,py?agoras =bids u1  
)\t an ord] f our comm&]1 t is ,god1 to 
des]t life's =tress & outpo/4 ,solon's  

epitaph1 inde$1 is t ( a wise man1 9 :i*
 he says t he does n wi% 8 dea? to be   
unaccompani$ by ! sorr[ & lam5tations ( 
8 fri5ds4 ,he wants1 ,i suppose1 to be  
belov$ by !m4 ,b ,i r ?9k ,ennius says  
bett]3  ,none grace me ) _! te>s1 nor   
weep+ l\d ,make sad my fun]al rites6    
,he holds t a dea? is n a subject =     
m\rn+ :5 x is foll[$ by immortality4    
,aga91 !re may possibly be "s s5sation (
 dy+ & t only = a %ort "t1 especially 9 
! case ( an old man3 aft] dea?1 inde$1  
s5sation is ei!r :at "o w\ld desire1 or 
x disappe>s altoge!r4 ,b to disreg>d    
dea? is a lesson :i* mu/ be /udi$ f our 
y\? up2 = unless t is le>nt1 no "o c h a
 quiet m9d4 ,= die we c]ta9ly mu/1 & t  
too )\t be+ c]ta9 :e!r x may n be ?is v 
day4 ,z dea?1 !re=e1 is hang+ ov] our   
head e h\r1 h[ c a man ev] be un%ak5 9  
s\l if he fe>s x8  ,b on ?is !me ,i     
don't ?9k ,i ne$ mu* enl>ge3 :5 ,i      
rememb] :at ,lucius ,brutus did1 :o 0   
kill$ :ile def5d+ 8 c\ntry2 or ! two    
,decii1 :o spurr$ _! horses to a gallop 

& met a volunt>y dea?2 or ,m4 ,atilius  
,regulus1 :o left 8 home to confront a  
dea? ( torture1 r ?an break ! ^w :i* he 
_h pl$g$ to ! enemy2 or ! two ,scipios1 
:o det]m9$ to block ! ,c>?ag9ian advance
 ev5 ) _! own bodies2 or y\r gr&fa!r    
,lucius ,paulus1 :o paid ) 8 life = !   
ra%ness ( 8 colleague 9 ! disgrace at   
,cannae2 or ,m4 ,m>cellus1 ^: dea? n ev5
 ! mo/ blood?ir/y ( enemies w\ld all[ to
 g )\t ! hon\r ( burial4 ,x is en\gh to 
recall t our legions 7z ,i h record$ 9  
my ,orig9s7 h (t5 m>*$ ) *e]ful & l(ty  
_s to gr\nd f :i* !y believ$ t !y w\ld  
nev] return4 ,t1 !re=e1 :i* "y m5--n    
only un9/ruct$1 b absolutely            
ignorant--treat z ( no acc\nt1 %all m5  
:o are nei!r "y nor ignorant %r9k f 9   
t]ror8 ,z a g5]al tru?1 z x seems to me1
 x is we>9ess ( all pursuits t creates  
we>9ess ( life4 ,!re are c]ta9 pursuits 
adapt$ to *ildhood3 d "y m5 miss !m8    
,!re are o!rs suit$ to e>ly manhood3    
does t settl$ "t ( life call$ middle age
 ask = !m8 ,!re are o!rs1 aga91 suit$ to

 t age1 b n look$ = 9 old age4 ,!re are1
 f9ally1 "s :i* belong to ,old age4     
,!re=e1 z ! pursuits ( ! e>li] ages h _!
 "t = disappe>+1 s also h ^? ( old age4 
,& :5 t takes place1 a satiety ( life   
br+s on ! ripe "t = dea?4  #ba4 ,= ,i d 
n see :y ,i %\ld n v5ture to tell y my  
p]sonal op9ion z to dea?1 ( :i* ,i seem 
to myself to h a cle>] vision 9         
proportion z ,i am ne>] to x4 ,i        
believe1 ,scipio & ,laelius1 t y\r      
fa!rs--^? illu/ri\s m5 & my de>e/       
fri5ds--are /ill alive1 & t too ) a life
 :i* alone des]ves ! "n4 ,= z long z we 
are imprison$ 9 ?is framework ( ! body1 
we p]=m a c]ta9 function & labori\s "w  
assign$ u by fate4 ,! s\l1 9 fact1 is ( 
heav5ly orig91 =c$ d[n f its home 9 !   
highe/1 &1 s to speak1 buri$ 9 e>?1 a   
place q oppos$ to its div9e nature & its
 immortality4 ,b ,i suppose ! immortal  
gods to h s[n s\ls broadca/ 9 human     
bodies1 t !re might be "s to survey !   
_w1 & :ile contemplat+ ! ord] ( !       
heav5ly bodies to imitate x 9 ! unv>y+  

regul>ity ( _! life4 ,nor is x only     
reason & argum5ts t h br\ght me to ?is  
belief1 b ! great fame & au?ority ( !   
mo/ di/+ui%$ philosoph]s4 ,i us$ to be  
told t ,py?agoras & !                   
,py?agoreans--almo/ natives ( our       
c\ntry1 :o 9 old times _h be5 call$ !   
,italian s*ool ( philosoph]s--nev] d\bt$
 t we _h s\ls draft$ f ! univ]sal ,div9e
 intellig5ce4 ,i us$ besides to h po9t$ 
out to me ! disc\rse deliv]$ by         
,socrates on ! la/ day ( 8 life ^u !    
immortality ( ! s\l--,socrates :o 0     
pron\nc$ by ! oracle at ,delphi to be ! 
wise/ ( m54 ,i ne$ say no m4 ,i h       
conv9c$ myself1 & ,i hold--9 view ( !   
rapid movem5t ( ! s\l1 its vivid memory 
( ! pa/ & its prophetic k ( ! future1   
its _m accompli%m5ts1 its va/ range ( k1
 its num]\s discov]ies --t a nature     
embrac+ su* v>i$ gifts _c itself be     
mortal4 ,& s9ce ! s\l is always 9 motion
 & yet has no ext]nal s\rce ( motion1 = 
x is self-mov$1 ,i conclude t x w also h
 no end to its motion1 because x is n   

likely ev] to ab&on itself4 ,aga91 s9ce 
! nature ( ! s\l is n composite1 nor has
 9 x any admixture t is n homog5e\s &   
simil>1 ,i conclude t x is indivisible1 
&1 if indivisible1 t x _c p]i%4 ,x is   
aga9 a /rong pro( ( m5 kn[+ mo/ ?+s be=e
 bir?1 t :5 m]e *ildr5 !y grasp         
innum]able facts ) su* spe$ z to %[ t !y
 are n !n tak+ !m 9 = ! fir/ "t1 b      
rememb]+ & recall+ !m4 ,?is is r\ghly   
,plato's argum5t4  #bb4 ,once m 9       
,x5ophon we h ! eld] ,cyrus on 8 dea?b$ 
speak+ z foll[s3--  ,d n suppose1 my    
de>e/ sons1 t :5 ,i h left y ,i %all be 
n[h]e & no "o4 ,ev5 :5 ,i 0 ) y1 y did n
 see my s\l1 b knew t x 0 9 ?is body (  
m9e f :at ,i did4 ,believe !n t x is    
/ill ! same1 ev5 ?\gh y see x n4 ,!     
hon\rs paid to illu/ri\s m5 _h n cont9u$
 to exi/ aft] _! dea?1 _h ! s\ls ( ^! v 
m5 n done some?+ to make u reta9 our    
recollection ( !m beyond ! ord9>y "t4 ,=
 myself1 ,i nev] c\ld be p]suad$ t s\ls 
:ile 9 mortal bodies 7 alive1 & di$     
directly !y left !m2 nor1 9 fact1 t !   

s\l only lo/ all intellig5ce :5 x left !
 un9tellig5t body4 ,i believe r t :51 by
 be+ lib]at$ f all corporeal admixture1 
x has begun to be pure & undefil$1 x is 
!n t x becomes wise4 ,& aga91 :5 man's  
natural frame is resolv$ into its       
elem5ts by dea?1 x is cle>ly se5 :i!r   
ea* ( ! o!r elem5ts dep>ts3 = !y all g  
to ! place f :i* !y came3 b ! s\l alone 
is invisible alike :5 pres5t & :5       
dep>t+4 ,once m1 y see t no?+ is s l    
dea? z sleep4 ,& yet x is 9 sleep]s t   
s\ls mo/ cle>ly reveal _! div9e nature2 
= !y =esee _m ev5ts :5 !y are all[$ to  
escape & are left free4 ,?is %[s :at !y 
are likely to be :5 !y h completely fre$
 !mselves f ! fett]s ( ! body4 ,:]e=e1  
if ^! ?+s are s1 obey me z a god4 ,b if 
my s\l is to p]i% ) my body1 nev]!less d
 y f awe ( ! gods1 :o gu>d & gov]n ?is  
fair univ]se1 pres]ve my memory by !    
loyalty & piety ( y\r lives4  #bc4 ,su* 
are ! words ( ! dy+ ,cyrus4 ,i w n[1 )  
y\r good leave1 look at home4 ,no "o1 my
 de> ,scipio1 %all ev] p]suade me t y\r 

fa!r ,paulus & y\r two gr&fa!rs ,paulus 
& ,africanus1 or ! fa!r ( ,africanus1 or
 8 uncle1 or _m o!r illu/ri\s m5 n      
necess>y to m5tion1 w\ld h attempt$ su* 
l(ty de$s z to be rema9d]$ by po/]ity1  
_h !y n se5 9 _! m9ds t future ages     
conc]n$ !m4 ,d y suppose--to take an old
 man's privilege ( a little             
self-praise--t ,i %\ld h be5 likely to  
und]take su* heavy lab\rs by day &      
night1 at home & abroad1 if ,i _h be5   
de/9$ to h ! same limit to my glory z to
 my life8 ,_h x n be5 mu* bett] to pass 
an age ( ease & repose )\t any lab\r or 
ex]tion8 ,b my s\l1 ,i "k n h[1 refus+  
to be kept d[n1 ev] fix$ its eyes ^u    
future ages1 z ?\gh f a conviction t x  
w\ld beg9 to live only :5 x _h left !   
body4 ,b _h x n be5 ! case t s\ls 7     
immortal1 x w\ld n h be5 ! s\ls ( all ! 
be/ m5 t made ! greate/ ef=ts aft] an   
immortality ( fame4  ,aga91 is !re n !  
fact t ! wise/ man ev] dies ) ! greate/ 
*e]fulness1 ! mo/ unwise ) ! lea/8      
,don't y ?9k t ! s\l :i* has ! cle>] &  

long] sight sees t x is />t+ = bett]    
?+s1 :ile ! s\l ^: vision is dimm] does 
n see x8 ,= my "p1 ,i am transport$ ) ! 
desire to see y\r fa!rs1 :o 7 ! object (
 my rev]5ce & affection4 ,nor is x only 
^? :om ,i knew t ,i long to see2 x is ^?
 also ( :om ,i h be5 told & h read1 :om 
,i h myself record$ 9 my hi/ory4 ,:5 ,i 
am sett+ out = t1 !re is c]ta9ly no "o  
:o w f9d x easy to draw me back1 or boil
 me up aga9 l second ,pelios4 ,nay1 if  
"s god %\ld grant me to r5ew my *ildhood
 f my pres5t age & once m to be cry+ 9  
my cradle1 ,i w\ld firmly refuse2 nor   
%\ld ,i 9 tru? be will+1 aft] hav+1 z x 
71 run ! full c\rse1 to be recall$ f !  
w9n+--crease to ! b>ri]s4 ,= :at bless+ 
has life to (f]8 ,%\ld we n r say :at   
lab\r8 ,b grant+ t x has1 at any rate x 
has aft] all a limit ei!r to enjoym5t or
 to exi/5ce4 ,i don't wi% to depreciate 
life1 z _m m5 & good philosoph]s h (t5  
done2 nor d ,i regret hav+ liv$1 = ,i h 
done s 9 a way t lets me ?9k t ,i 0 n   
born 9 va94 ,b ,i quit life z ,i w\ld an

 inn1 n z ,i w\ld a home4 ,= nature has 
giv5 u a place ( ent]ta9m5t1 n (        
resid5ce4  ,oh glori\s day :5 ,i %all   
set out to jo9 t heav5ly conclave &     
company ( s\ls1 & dep>t f ! turmoil &   
impurities ( ?is _w6 ,= ,i %all n g to  
jo9 only ^? :om ,i h be=e m5tion$1 b    
also my son ,cato1 ?an :om no bett] man 
0 ev] born1 nor "o m conspicu\s = piety4
 ,8 body 0 burnt by me1 ?\gh m9e ought1 
on ! contr>y1 to h be5 burnt by him2 b 8
 _s1 n ab&on+1 b ev] look+ back ^u me1  
has c]ta9ly gone :i!r he saw t ,i too   
mu/ come4 ,i 0 ?\ght to be> t loss      
h]oically1 n t ,i really bore x )\t     
di/ress1 b ,i f\nd my own consolation 9 
! ?\ght t ! p>t+ & sep>ation betwe5 u 0 
n to be = long4  ,x is by ^! means1 my  
de> ,scipio1--= y said t y & ,laelius 7 
wont to express surprise on ?is po9t1--t
 my old age sits lightly on me1 & is n  
only n oppressive b ev5 delightful4 ,b  
if ,i am wrong 9 ?9k+ ! human s\l       
immortal1 ,i am glad to be wrong2 nor w 
,i all[ ! mi/ake :i* gives me s mu*     

pleasure to be wre/$ f me z long z ,i   
live4 ,b if :5 dead1 z "s insignificant 
philosoph]s ?9k1 ,i am to be )\t        
s5sation1 ,i am n afraid ( dead         
philosoph]s d]id+ my errors4 ,aga91 if  
we are n to be immortal1 x is nev]!less 
:at a man mu/ wi%--to h 8 life end at   
its prop] "t4 ,= nature puts a limit to 
liv+ z to ev]y?+ else4 ,n[1 old age is z
 x 7 ! play+ out ( ! drama1 ! full      
fatigue ( :i* we %\ld %un1 especially :5
 we also feel t we h _h m ?an en\gh ( x4
  ,?is is all ,i _h to say on old age4  
,i pray t y may arrive at x1 t y may put
 my words to a practical te/4