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Source identified
“Friendship springs from nature rather than from need.”

Cicero · Dialogue speaker · Gaius Laelius

Source
De Amicitia
Date
44 BCE
Attribution
Source identified
Voice / speaker
Dialogue speaker · Gaius Laelius
Meaning

What does this quote mean?

Friendship is not reduced to usefulness; Cicero argues that it arises from natural affection before calculations of advantage.

Source context

Where does it come from?

De Amicitia argues that the best friendship is sought for its own sake rather than for revenue or convenience.

Primary / edition source ↗

Voice attribution

Who voices the line?

Dialogue speaker · Gaius Laelius. De Amicitia. Laelius argues that true friendship arises from natural affection rather than calculation of utility.

The source author and the local speaker can be different, especially in fiction, drama, dialogue and poetry.

Attribution

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This wording is connected with the named source shown above. Translations and editions can vary, so consult the source note when exact wording matters.

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Themes

Ideas connected with this quotation