BY W. G.

True friendship a thing of rare occurrence, 464. In the early times,

friends went in pairs, Orestes and Pylades, &c., 465. True friendship

cannot embrace a multitude, 466. If we have numerous acquaintances,

there should be one eminently a friend, 466. The requisites to a

true friendship, 467. The difficulty of finding a true friend, 467.

Be not hasty in getting friends, 468. Admit none to your confidence

without long and thorough trial, 468. As true friendship cements two

hearts into one, so a large acquaintance divides and distracts the

heart, 469. We cannot discharge the obligations of friendship to

a multitude, 470; therefore do not attempt it, 471. Joining one’s

self intimately to another involves one in his calamities, 472. Real

friendship always has its origin in likeness, even in brutes, 472.

There must be a substantial oneness, 473. Therefore it is next to a

miracle to find a constant and sure friend, 474.

Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5) · 第 38 / 214 题