Pagina 572 de 734

If then to the man in a high state of happiness existence is in

itself choice-worthy, being naturally good and pleasant, and so

too a friend's existence, then the friend also must be among

things choice-worthy. But whatever is choice-worthy to a man he

should have or else he will be in this point deficient. The man

therefore who is to come up to our notion "Happy" will need good

Friends.

Chapter X.

Are we then to make our friends as numerous as possible? or, as

in respect of acquaintance it is thought to have been well said

"have not thou many acquaintances yet be not without;" so too in

respect of Friendship may we adopt the precept, and say that a

man should not be without friends, nor again have exceeding many

friends?