Source identified
Read & copy the quotation
“A true friend is, as it were, another self.”
- Source
- De Amicitia
- Date
- 44 BCE
- Local voice
- Dialogue speaker · Gaius Laelius
- English wording
- Andrew P. Peabody — Translator · from Latin
Meaning of “A true friend is, as it were, another…”
The phrase captures the intimacy of friendship: another person becomes close enough that concern for them resembles concern for oneself.
Where does it come from?
De Amicitia, chapter 21 / classical section 80, Andrew P. Peabody translation, Project Gutenberg #7491. Laelius says that unless self-love is transferred into friendship a true friend cannot be found, “for such a friend is, as it were, another self.” The familiar another-self formulation is presented in its philosophical context and not as a literal identity claim.
Why the local voice matters
De Amicitia. The represented maxim occurs within Laelius’ friendship discourse; Cicero is retained as work author while Laelius is the local speaker.
