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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Lysis by Plato: upon a slight acquaintance, when we have seen him again, and under
different circumstances, may make a much less favourable impression on our
minds. Young people swear 'eternal friendships,' but at these innocent
perjuries their elders laugh. No one forms a friendship with the intention
of renouncing it; yet in the course of a varied life it is practically
certain that many changes will occur of feeling, opinion, locality,
occupation, fortune, which will divide us from some persons and unite us to
others. 6) There is an ancient saying, Qui amicos amicum non habet. But
is not some less exclusive form of friendship better suited to the
condition and nature of man? And in those especially who have no family
ties, may not the feeling pass beyond one or a few, and embrace all with
Lysis |
