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[30]
For to the extent that a man relies upon himself and is so fortified by virtue and wisdom that
he is dependent on no one and considers all his
possessions to be within himself, in that degree is
[p. 143]
he most conspicuous for seeking out and cherishing
friendships. Now what need did Africanus have
of me?1 By Hercules! none at all. And I,
assuredly, had no need of him either, but I loved
him because of a certain admiration for his virtue,
and he, in turn, loved me, because, it may be, of
the fairly good opinion which he had of my character; and close association added to our mutual
affection. Although many and great advantages
did ensue from our friendship, still the beginnings
of our love did not spring from the hope of gain.
1 According to the Stoics the wise man needed nothing, though there were many things advisable for him to have; cf. Seneca, Ep. 9; Plato, Lysis B.
Cicero: De Senectute De Amicitia De Divinatione. With An English Translation. William Armistead Falconer. Cambridge. Harvard University Press; Cambridge, Mass., London, England. 1923.
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