We conclude then that mental pain which we must often encounter on a friend's account is not of sufficient consequence to banish friendship from our life, any more than it is true that the cardinal virtues are to be dispensed with because they involve certain anxieties and distresses.
Cicero: “We conclude then that mental pain which we must often encounter on a friend's account is not of sufficient consequence…”
Editor's note · Context
From a philosophical treatise on the nature of friendship, discussing why its inherent challenges should not deter one from it.
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Thus apparent expediency is outweighed when placed in the balance against moral rectitude.
There are, on the other hand, two kinds of injustice--the one, on the part of those who inflict wrong, the other on the part of those who, when they can, do not shield from wrong those upon whom it is being inflicted.
Now, those who care for the interests of a part of the citizens and neglect another part, introduce into the civil service a dangerous element--dissension and party strife.
For there are men who for fear of giving offence do not dare to express their honest opinion, no matter how excellent.





