“Regard friendship as the greatest thing in the world; for there is nothing which so fits in with our nature, or is so exactly what we want in prosperity or adversity.”
- Source
- Laelius on Friendship
- Date
- 44 BCE
- Attribution
- Source identified
- Voice / speaker
- Dialogue speaker · Gaius Laelius
- English wording
- Evelyn S. Shuckburgh — Translator · from Latin
What does this quote mean?
Cicero presents friendship as suited to human nature because it serves both celebration and hardship rather than belonging to only one circumstance.
Where does it come from?
Laelius on Friendship; Laelius frames friendship as useful and natural in both good and difficult times.
Who voices the line?
Dialogue speaker · Gaius Laelius. Laelius on Friendship / De Amicitia. Cicero’s framing explicitly places the friendship discourse in Laelius’ mouth.
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.