the memorabilia(纪念品)-第18节
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would be taken of the friend in like condition； and if both should die； he
will show signs of deep annoyance at the death of his domestic； which； as
he reflects； is a positive loss to him； but as regards his friend his position is
in no wise materially affected； and thus； though he would never dream of
leaving his other possessions disregarded and ill cared for； friendship's
mute appeal is met with flat indifference。＇1＇
＇1＇ Or； 〃the cry of a friend for careful tending falls on deaf ears。〃
Or to take （said he） a crowning instance：＇2＇ with regard to ordinary
possessions； however multifarious these may be； most people are at least
acquainted with their number； but if you ask a man to enumerate his
friends； who are not so very many after all perhaps； he cannot； or if； to
oblige the inquirer； he essays to make a list； he will presently retract the
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names of some whom he had previously included。＇3＇ Such is the amount
of thought which people bestow upon their friends。
＇2＇ Or； 〃Nor had he failed to observe another striking contrast。〃 Cf。
Cic。 〃Lael。〃 17； Diog。 Laert。 ii。 30。
＇3＇ i。e。 〃like a chess…player recalling a move。〃
And yet what thing else may a man call his own is comparable to this
one best possession！ what rather will not serve by contrast to enhance the
value of an honest friend！ Think of a horse or a yoke of oxen； they have
their worth； but who shall gauge the worth of a worthy friend？ Kindlier
and more constant than the faithfullest of slaves this is that possession
best named all…serviceable。＇4＇ Consider what the post is that he assigns
himself！ to meet and supplement what is lacking to the welfare of his
friends； to promote their private and their public interests； is his concern。
Is there need of kindly action in any quarter？ he will throw in the full
weight of his support。 Does some terror confound？ he is at hand to help
and defend by expenditure of money and of energy；＇5＇ by appeals to
reason or resort to force。 His the privilege alike to gladden the prosperous
in the hour of success and to sustain their footing who have well…nigh
slipped。 All that the hands of a man may minister； all that the eyes of each
are swift to see； the ears to hear； and the feet to compass； he with his
helpful arts will not fall short of。 Nay； not seldom that which a man has
failed to accomplish for himself； has missed seeing or hearing or attaining；
a friend acting in behalf of friend will achieve vicariously。 And yet； albeit
to try and tend a tree for the sake of its fruit is not uncommon； this copious
mine of wealththis friend attracts only a lazy and listless attention on
the part of more than half the world。
＇4＇ 〃A vessel fit for all work indeed is this friend。〃 Cf。 Ar。 〃Ach。〃
936； ｛pagkhreston aggos estai｝； like the 〃leather bottel。〃
＇5＇ Or； 〃by dint of his diplomacy。〃
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V
I remember listening to another argument of his； the effect of which
would be to promote self…examination。 The listener must needs be brought
to ask himself； 〃Of what worth am I to my friends？〃 It happened thus。 One
of those who were with him was neglectful； as he noted； of a friend who
was at the pinch of poverty （Antisthenes）。＇1＇ Accordingly； in the presence
of the negligent person and of several others； he proceeded to question the
sufferer。
＇1＇ Antisthenes； 〃cynicorum et stoicorum parens。〃 Cic。 〃de Or。〃 iii。
17； 〃ad Att。〃 xii。 38。 See below； III。 iii。 17； 〃Symp。〃 passim； Diog。
Laert。 II。 v。； VI。 i。
Soc。 What say you； Antisthenes？have friends their values like
domestic slaves？ One of these latter may be worth perhaps two minae；＇2＇
another only half a mina； a third five； and a fourth as much as ten； while
they do say that Nicias；＇3＇ the son of Niceratus； paid a whole talent for a
superintendent of his silver mines。 And so I propound the question to
myself as follows： 〃Have friends； like slaves； their market values？〃
＇2＇ A mina = L4 circ。
＇3＇ For Nicias see Thuc。 vii。 77 foll。； 〃Revenues；〃 iv。 14； Plut。
〃Nic。〃 IV。 v。； Lys。 〃de bon。 Aristoph。〃 648。
Not a doubt of it （replied Antisthenes）。 At any rate； I know that I
would rather have such a one as my friend than be paid two minae； and
there is such another whose worth I would not estimate at half a mina； and
a third with whom I would not part for ten； and then again a fourth whose
friendship would be cheap if it cost me all the wealth and pains in the
world to purchase it。
Well then （continued Socrates）； if that be so； would it not be well if
every one were to examine himself： 〃What after all may I chance to be
worth to my friends？〃 Should he not try to become as dear as possible； so
that his friends will not care to give him up？ How often do I hear the
complaint： 〃My friend So…and…so has given me up〃； or 〃Such an one；
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whom I looked upon as a friend； has sacrificed me for a mina。〃 And every
time I hear these remarks； the question arises in my mind： If the vendor of
a worthless slave is ready to part with him to a purchaser for what he will
fetchis there not at least a strong temptation to part with a base friend
when you have a chance of making something on the exchange？ Good
slaves； as far as I can see； are not so knocked down to the hammer； no； nor
good friends so lightly parted with。
VI
Again； in reference to the test to be applied； if we would gauge the
qualifications of a friend worth the winning； the following remarks of
Socrates could not fail； I think； to prove instructive。＇1＇
＇1＇ Or； 〃Again； as to establishing a test of character； since a friend
worth having must be of a particular type； I cannot but think that the
following remarks would prove instructive。〃
Tell me （said Socrates； addressing Critobulus）； supposing we stood in
need of a good friend； how should we set about his discovery？ We must； in
the first place； I suppose； seek out one who is master of his appetites； not
under the dominion； that is； of his belly； not addicted to the wine…cup or to
lechery or sleep or idleness； since no one enslaved to such tyrants could
hope to do his duty either by himself or by his friends； could he？
Certainly not （Critobulus answered）。
Soc。 Do you agree； then； that we must hold aloof from every one so
dominated？
Cri。 Most assuredly。
Well then （proceeded Socrates）； what shall we say of the spendthrift
who has lost his independence and is for ever begging of his neighbours； if
he gets anything out of them he cannot repay； but if he fails to get anything；
he hates you for not givingdo you not think that this man too would
prove but a disagreeable friend？
Cri。 Certainly。
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Soc。 Then we must keep away from him too？
Cri。 That we must。
Soc。 Well！ and what of the man whose strength lies in monetary
transactions？＇2＇ His one craving is to amass money； and for that reason he
is an adept at driving a hard bargain＇3＇glad enough to take in； but loath
to pay out。
＇2＇ Or； 〃the money…lender？ He has a passion for big money…bags。〃
＇3＇ Or； 〃hard in all his dealings。〃
Cri。 In my opinion he will prove even a worse fellow than the last。
Soc。 Well！ and what of that other whose passion for money…making is
so absorbing that he has no leisure for anything else； save how he may add
to his gains？
Cri。 Hold aloof from him； say I； since there is no good to be got out of
him or his society。
Soc。 Well！ what of the quarrelsome and factious person＇4＇ whose main
object is to saddle his friends with a host of
