Political Quotes

Cicero: Let this, then, be laid down as the first law of friendship, that we should ask from friends, and do for friends', only…

On the record44 BC
Let this, then, be laid down as the first law of friendship, that we should ask from friends, and do for friends', only what is good.
Said by
Cicero

Editor's note · Context

From a philosophical treatise on the nature of friendship, this passage establishes a fundamental ethical principle for such relationships.

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