Pagina 574 de 734

Well, of friends likewise there is a limited number, which

perhaps may be laid down to be the greatest number with whom it

would be possible to keep up intimacy; this being thought to be

one of the greatest marks of Friendship, and it being quite

obvious that it is not possible to be intimate with many, in

other words, to part one's self among many. And besides it must

be remembered that they also are to be friends to one another if

they are all to live together: but it is a matter of difficulty

to find this in many men at once.

It comes likewise to be difficult to bring home to one's self the

joys and sorrows of many: because in all probability one would

have to sympathise at the same time with the joys of this one and

the sorrows of that other.