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These considerations being laid down, of necessity it must be, that one who participates in another's joy at good fortune, and in his sorrow at what aggrieves him, not from any other motive, but simply for his sake, is his friend. For every one, when that happens which he wishes, rejoices; but when the contrary happens, all are grieved. So that the pain and pleasure men feel are an indication of their wishes.
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Those, too, are friends, to whom the same things are become by this time good, and the same evil; those, too, who are friends and foes to the same persons, for these must necessarily desire similar objects. So that he who wishes for another what he does for
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himself, appears to be a friend to that other. Men love also those who have benefited either themselves, or those for whom they have a regard; whether in important particulars, or with readiness2, and for their own sakes, or those whom they deem willing to
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benefit them. Again, people love the friends of their friends, and such as cherish friendly feelings towards
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those for whom they do themselves; likewise those who are loved by such as are beloved by themselves; those also who are enemies to the same people, and
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who hate those whom they hate themselves, and those who are hated by those who also are hated by themselves; for to all these the same objects seem good as to themselves; so that they wish for things which are good to them, both which were laid down to be characteristic of a friend. Moreover men love
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those who benefit them in regard to money matters, and the security of life; on which account people
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honour the liberal and brave. They love also the just, of which character they esteem those who do not live at the cost of others, such are all who are supported by their bodily labour, and of these are husbandmen, and among the rest handicraftsmen
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in particular. They love also the temperate, for they are not unjust; and those who are disengaged from business, for the same reason. We love also
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those of whom we wish to become the friends, should they appear to desire it also. Of this sort are those who are good in respect to moral excellence, and men of approved character, either among all men, or among the best men, or those who are held in admiration by ourselves, or who themselves admire us. Again, we love those who are pleasant companions
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for passing time, or spending a day with; of this description are the good-tempered, and such as are not fond of chiding those who err, and are not quarrelsome or contentious3. For all people of this sort are fond of dispute ; but such as are fond of dispute give us the idea of desiring the opposite of
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what we do. Also those who have a happy turn in passing and taking a joke ; for both seem bent on the same things as their neighbours, being able both to endure being rallied and neatly rallying others 4.
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Men love also those who praise their good qualities, and particularly such as they apprehend not to belong
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to them: also those who are neat in their appearance, their dress, and their whole manner of living. Also
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those who do not reproach them with errors, nor their own benefits; for both these descriptions of
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people have an air of reproving them. People admire also those who forget old grievances ; and who do not treasure up grounds of quarrel, but are easily reconciled ; because of whatever disposition they show themselves towards others, people naturally think they
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will prove to be of towards themselves also: as also those who do not talk scandal, nor inform themselves of the ills either of their neighbours or themselves, but of their good points only; for this is the con-
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duct of a good man. We are friendly disposed also towards those who are not at cross purposes with us when angry, or seriously engaged; for all such people are fond of dispute: towards those also who comport themselves seriously towards us; thus, for instance, those who admire us, or consider us worthy
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men, and take a pleasure in our society, and who are thus affected in regard particularly to points about which ourselves are desirous to be admired, or to ap-
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pear excellent or agreeable : as also towards our equals, and those who have the same objects in view, supposing they do not clash with us5, and that their livelihood arise not from the same profession, for thus
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arises an instance of the proverb, “ Potter hates potter6.” We stand thus affected towards those also
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who are desirous of the same objects with ourselves, and which it is possible for us to participate in as well as them; otherwise the same collision takes place in this case: towards those also, in regard to
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whom men have themselves in such a way as, while they do not hold them cheap, not to feel shame on mere matters of opinion. With this feeling do peo-
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ple regard those also in respect to whom they feel shame about matters really shameful: and those before whom they are studious to stand approved, and by whom they wish to be emulated, yet without being envied, all these men either love as friends, or wish to become their friends; also those with whom
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they would co-operate toward some good, were it not that greater ills are likely thereby to befall themselves: and such as regard with friendly feeling, the
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absent equally with the present; on which account all love those who manifest this disposition in regard to the dead. Also men entirely love those who are particularly zealous for their friends and never abandon them ; for eminently beyond all the good, people love those who are good as friends. They also love
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those who do not dissemble towards them; of this class are such as mention their own failings; for it has been said already, that before friends we feel no shame about mere matters of opinion; if, then, he who is so ashamed has not the feelings of a friend, the man who is without such shame bears a resemblance to one who has friendly feelings. Also we love those who do not inspire us with fear, and before whom we feel confidence; for no one loves a person whom he fears7. But the species of friend-
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ship are companionship, intimacy, relationship, and the like. And the efficient causes of friendship are gratuitous benefits, the rendering a service unsolicited, and the not disclosing it after it has been ren-
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dered ; for thus done the favour appears to be solely for the sake of your friend himself, and from no other motive.