“Friendship is nothing else than entire fellow feeling as to all things human and divine with mutual good-will and affection.”
- Source
- De Amicitia
- Date
- 44 BCE
- Attribution
- Source identified
- Voice / speaker
- Dialogue speaker · Gaius Laelius
What does this quote mean?
Cicero defines the strongest friendship as a broad sharing of concern, judgment and goodwill rather than a narrow exchange of favors or useful contacts.
Where does it come from?
De Amicitia, section 6, Project Gutenberg #7491. Laelius is the dialogue speaker in Cicero’s philosophical treatment of friendship; the sentence defines friendship through mutual goodwill and affection.
Who voices the line?
Dialogue speaker · Gaius Laelius. De Amicitia. The definition is part of Laelius’ framed discourse on friendship.
The source author and the local speaker can be different, especially in fiction, drama, dialogue and poetry.
How should this attribution be read?
This wording is connected with the named source shown above. Translations and editions can vary, so consult the source note when exact wording matters.