Hannah Bright
Dr. Ronald B. Thomas
First-Year Symposium
12 November, 2012
Cicero
Aristotle once said, “Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.” There are many things that go into the process of friendship. Some people deal with friendship one way while others deal with it in another way. Cicero had a lot to say about the different aspects of friendship in his time, but how would he view modern friendship? Some friendships Cicero may not be proud of; like the common relationships that are forced on in a classroom or work place and the lack of allowing nature to take control and make the friendships that are meant to happen. However, Cicero would be happy with the way the higher level friendships have developed in virtue
The friendship should happen naturally. Unlike in today’s world, friends were found to feel wanted. Now the person with the most friends is considered the best because of their popularity; however, that should not be the case. It is better to have three great friends than a thousand false ones. Friendship must be formed by nature. “… That feeling of love and affectionate goodwill come naturally into existence, once there has been a recognition of goodness (Cicero, 12).” This nature founded by goodness, virtue, and value are what really builds a solid friendship that Cicero would be very proud of. Higher levels of friendship are the ones that hold strong for years. Cicero would be ecstatic to see that the virtue and value of friendship has grown since his time. Once you get passed the lower levels of friendship such as the common relationships and the lack of control nature has on friendships you can see that. Virtue and value are the greatest aspect that friendship has today and did have back then. Friends are there for each other when they are going through the good and bad times. “Friendship makes good times yet more splendid, and takes some weight off of unfavorable times, by sharing them (Cicero, 9).” Without friendship there would be no point in living. Cicero realizes that friends are what get people through their day to day lives. “…Everything that exists and moves in the universe is brought together by friendship… (Cicero, 9)” There is no love without