Friendship
‹ 3 · Outline · 5 ›
4.The duties of friends to one another
4a.Practical help and generosity to friends
See also: Love 7a
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 15–17Telemachus answers Athene's counsel as a friendly heart like a father's, and offers a parting gift 'such as dear friends give to friends'.read · scan
- p. 28–29Athene as Mentor pledges loyal help, calling herself a faithful friend of Odysseus who will furnish ship and company for his son.read · scan
- p. 66–67Athene is called a friend who guides Telemachus, one whom all men pray to have standing by them; a friend's power to protect.read · scan
- p. 103–104Odysseus rejoices at seeing a true friend in the lists: Athene's encouraging support in trial shows a friend's timely aid.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 20Androcles and the Lion: kindness once shown is remembered, and the Lion spares his friend in the arena, showing gratitude and loyalty.read · scan
Plato, CritoVol. 2
- p. 32–33Crito pleads he'd lose an irreplaceable friend and be shamed for valuing money above a friend's life; friends' reputation and risk borne for loyalty.read · scan
- p. 33Crito urges escape, offering friends' money and protection abroad; feels shame at friends' apparent cowardice, showing loyalty, sacrifice and duty to save a friend.read · scan
- p. 42The Laws argue that escape would ruin Socrates' friends through exile and lost property, and that friends would care for his children.read · scan
- p. 42–43If those who call themselves friends are truly friends they will care for his children; wronging one's friends is counted among wrongs of escaping.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 685–686Failing one's duty to friends, along with parents, monks and elders, is named among the wrongs for which the dead man is condemned before Yama.read · scan
- p. 769–770Admonition interpreted as a duty: give to needy relatives and friends whether or not they can repay, showing generosity toward friends without expecting return.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 28–29Rejects three proposed limits of friendship (love as oneself, equal return, friend's self-estimate); true friendship is generous, sacrifices for friends, and raises their spirits.read · scan
- p. 33Duties of superior and inferior friends: superiors descend and raise others, inferiors accept being surpassed; never recount services; benefits are limited by capacity.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 86–89In exile Cicero praises Flaccus, who risked his fortunes to shelter him with hospitality and friendship, and hopes to repay the debt of gratitude.read · scan
- p. 101–105Cicero thanks a friend for zeal and affection in purchasing for him, though tactfully disliking the results, and ends asking him to continue to love him.read · scan
- p. 118Cicero professes boundless devotion and gratitude to Lentulus, regrets separation, offers faithful counsel and support, and laments a man who is an enemy of his own friends.read · scan
- p. 125–126Cicero says he aims not to fail friends in service, counsel or exertion, and feels bound to Caesar and Lentulus by gratitude for kindnesses.read · scan
- p. 139Appealing to close friendship, common tastes, mutual services and fathers' intimacy, Cicero frankly asks Cato's support for his honours, trusting to Cato's friendship.read · scan
- p. 152Cicero writes in the name of friendship, supporting Appius's honour and asking him to continue his love; friendship shown as duty of public praise.read · scan
- p. 180Cicero professes that Brutus's affection is precious to him and that he most wishes to be consistent in loving him, serving Brutus's family.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 210Damned in Tartarus are those who refuse to give or lend to poor kin or a friend in want, so neglecting friendship's duty of aid.read · scan
- p. 325Pallas invokes Hercules by the hospitality once given his father Evander; Turnus taunts that it costs Evander dear to be the Trojans' friend, so alliance brings risk.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 383Parable of the midnight friend: a friend refuses help at first but yields to importunity, and a friend's duty of hospitality is presupposed.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 110Alcibiades declares the impoverished stranger 'a friend of mine' and stands surety for him, returning his gold and securing him a profit; friendship shown as generous patronage.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 155Marcius refuses all reward and asks only freedom for his former hospitable friend, a Volscian captive, showing loyalty to a friend across enmity.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 323–324Antony's lavish generosity to friends and fellow-soldiers, and his good-humored help in their affairs, win him friends and support his rise.read · scan
- p. 383–384Caesar spares Alexandria to gratify his friend Areius, whose intercession saves lives; Philostratus's plea that the wise will save the wise shows friendship's influence and favor.read · scan
- p. 387Cleopatra's friend Archibius pays Caesar two thousand talents to save her statues from destruction, showing loyalty to a friend after her death.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 199Pliny attends recitals by friends as a courtesy, noting that good offices between friends cease to be obligations once a return is expected.read · scan
- p. 204Pliny gives a generous gift out of long friendship rooted in shared childhood and family ties, and says an honour from a friend is a trust bound to his judgment.read · scan
- p. 218–219Pliny pleads for Romanus, saying friendship is the most valuable gift to give him; he deserves it through worth proven and gratitude for kindnesses received.read · scan
- p. 248Pliny reflects on requiting a town's kindness, saying no generous mind can bear to be excelled in acts of friendship.read · scan
- p. 281Pliny describes a lifelong friendship with Attilius begun in youth, and pleads for him, treating a friend's injury as his own, with duty and loyalty.read · scan
- p. 303Pliny sacrifices financial interest to friendship, selling land cheaply to Corellia out of long friendship with her family and his mother's intimacy; friendship outweighs profit.read · scan
- p. 357Pliny petitions the emperor to advance Voconius Romanus, his schoolfellow and companion from earliest years, showing loyalty in advancing a friend's interests.read · scan
- p. 367Pliny asks advancement for Rosianus Geminus, his former quaestor, citing private friendship and affection that make him rejoice in the friend's honours as his own.read · scan
- p. 403–404Pliny's affection for Suetonius grew with knowledge of him, making him a domestic friend; he seeks a favour for him through intercession.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 194Learning to receive favours from friends without being humbled by them or ignoring them; a point of friendly conduct.read · scan
- p. 194Sextus's virtue includes looking carefully after friends' interests, and his companionship was more agreeable than flattery.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 95Friends plan a common household with goods shared, 'through the truth of our friendship' all belonging to each; the scheme collapses over the wives.read · scan
- p. 125–126Nebridius, in consideration of friendship, teaches under Verecundus, who by right of friendship claimed aid; Nebridius acts as a kind, gentle friend, not for advantage.read · scan
- p. 139–140Verecundus, kindly friend, offers his country house and grieves at being severed from them; Augustine is spared sorrow at his death by his friend's Christian end.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 5Scyld, once friendless, prospers; a youth should win his father's friends by gifts so loyal warriors will aid him in age. Loving clansmen bury their lord.read · scan
- p. 43–45Beowulf asks Hrothgar to guard his warrior-friends and stand as father if he falls, and to show Hygelac he gained a good friend.read · scan
- p. 68–70Beowulf avenges his lord and proves 'friend to the friendless' by aiding the exiled Eadgils, showing loyalty and help toward the needy.read · scan
The Destruction of Dá Derga's HostelVol. 49
- p. 206–207Conaire relies on friend Da Derga, recalling his lavish gifts and expecting return of generosity and hospitality; reciprocity of friendship.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 287–288The King of India's letter calls the Khalifeh brother and sincere friend, professing great affection and sending gifts as a token of friendship between rulers.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 431–433Borgny is called Oddrun's sweet friend and Oddrun helps her out of a vow to help all; Borgny calls her fellow, like a sibling, showing loyalty in need.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 306–307Sigurd's pleasure is to take wealth from unfriends and give it to his friends, showing generosity toward friends as a mark of virtue.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 9Beatrice, moved by love, sends Virgil to aid Dante, her friend 'not of my fortune but myself,' stranded in danger; friendship shown as rescuing loyalty.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 189–190Provenzano humbled himself, begging in Siena's square to ransom a suffering friend imprisoned by Charles; friendship as self-sacrificing duty that atones.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 161–163Robyn pledges friendship to whoever helps a good yeoman; the knight repays the loan and Robyn refuses payment, showing reciprocal loyalty and kindness.read · scan
Amerigo Vespucci, Amerigo Vespucci's Account of His First VoyageVol. 43
- p. 28Natives are liberal in giving and asking when they show themselves your friends; friendship implies open sharing of goods.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 139–140Raphael says he has done his duty to friends and kinsfolk by dividing his patrimony among them; Peter urges service to kings as benefit to friends.read · scan
- p. 215Utopians avenge wrongs to friends, even money losses, more heavily than their own, showing loyalty and duty toward allied friends.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 103More turns to the Duke of Norfolk, his singular dear friend, to intercede with the King for his discharge; friend as trusted intermediary.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 30–32Pierro Landi, a young friend, loved Cellini like a brother and accompanies him with sword and mail in his hour of danger.read · scan
- p. 46–47Old swordsman Bevilacqua, a great friend, vouches for Cellini's character and consents to act as his second in a duel.read · scan
- p. 62–63Cellini says human beings have a duty to be mutually serviceable and asks Luigi to repay his kindness by helping another in need; Luigi's grateful tears follow.read · scan
- p. 65–68A nobleman friend acts as protector, brokers peace between Cellini and his enemies, backs him with armed men and declares he loves Cellini like a brother.read · scan
- p. 144–145Cardinal de' Medici calls Cellini 'my friend' and pledges defence; Cellini values gaining one more friend in his hour of need.read · scan
- p. 226–227Cardinal Cornaro tries to protect Cellini and sends him safe food; the Pope allows friends' visits, a consolation to the prisoner.read · scan
- p. 228–229Cellini appeals to a loyal young Greek friend to help his escape, offering his life in return; the friend disobeys, out of concern for Cellini's good, straining trust.read · scan
- p. 247–248Cellini turns to the imprisoned Bishop, known as his friend, for uncontaminated food and help against poisoning; friend as protector in danger.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of the Institution and Education of ChildrenVol. 32
- p. 64–69Montaigne answers the complaint that he is cold and negligent in offices of friendship and duty, defending his conduct against exacting claims.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 493Don Quixote wishes for power so he can show his desire to do good to his friends, especially his faithful squire Sancho, tying liberality to friendship.read · scan
- p. 505–506The company offers Eugenio friendship and service; Don Quixote pledges help and favour to the distressed goatherd as a bound duty, showing friendly obligation to a stranger.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 475Ralph appeals to master and dame as always a friend to him, asking them to look after his wife; the shoemakers give parting gifts.read · scan
- p. 500–501Ralph, maimed and without means, declares he will trust God, his good friends and his hands, showing friends as a resource in misfortune.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 862–866Wellborn advises Allworth 'as a friend, and freely'; Allworth offers money to help his needy elder friend, who proudly refuses.read · scan
- p. 873–876Wellborn claims on Lady Allworth's regard for having been her husband's friend, who raised and stood by him in adversity; loyalty and past service invoked.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 326Donne is useful and not mercenary to his friend Ellesmere; friends' approval is said to be necessary even for a virtuous love.read · scan
- p. 329Kinsman Sir Francis Wolly's generous hospitality relieves Donne's want, an instance of a benefactor's friendly bounty.read · scan
- p. 329–330Dr. Morton asks Donne to consider his offer as the effect of true love, paid as a debt for Donne's love to him.read · scan
- p. 330–331Morton, moved by love born of long friendship, counsels Donne and offers his own benefice to relieve his friend's necessity.read · scan
- p. 357–358Donne's will shows him a lover of friends, remembering them with fitly chosen legacies given to express affection rather than enrich.read · scan
- p. 358Donne's duties of friendship: visiting dejected or needy friends, tactfully giving to a ruined old friend, reconciling friends' family quarrels with trusted impartial judgment.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 388–389Mr. Woodnot, a useful friend to Herbert's family, gives bounty and practical service, handling church-rebuilding accounts; 'holy friendship' between him and Herbert anticipated.read · scan
- p. 392–393True friends act as trusted proxies who understand both parties' temper and estates, making the hasty marriage prudent; shows friends' counsel and offices.read · scan
- p. 408Old friend Mr. Bostock serves as Herbert's curate and takes over his prayers in his illness, showing a friend's help in need.read · scan
Molière, Tartuffe, or The HypocriteVol. 26
- p. 291–293Valere, a loyal friend, warns Orgon of danger and offers carriage, money and escort in flight, showing friendship as practical loyalty and service.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 192–193Christiana intercedes for her friend Mercy at the gate, and Mercy relies on Christiana's invitation: a friend's advocacy and loyalty.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 66–67Dryden acknowledges friends' generous help with his translation, counsel and correction from Congreve and two unnamed friends, showing friendship as practical assistance and kindness.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 91Teaching children to share freely with friends and be kind to one another cultivates generosity and goodwill, with kindness returned.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 170–171Theseus recalls his sole friend Pirithoüs, whom he aided in a doomed venture and saw devoured, showing loyalty to a friend at great cost.read · scan
Jonathan Swift, On the Death of Esther Johnson [Stella]Vol. 27
- p. 127Stella defines a present as a gift to a friend of something he wants, showing friendship's generosity and disinterestedness.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 58–59Friends of the club exert themselves to recommend business to Franklin, and Dr. Baird speaks up for his industry, showing friends' practical support.read · scan
- p. 60–61Mr. Hamilton is remembered as a friend who strongly patronized Franklin until death; Vernon forbears his debt kindly.read · scan
- p. 61Two true friends, Coleman and Grace, separately offer money unasked in his distress; Franklin feels lasting gratitude and keeps loyalty to his partner first.read · scan
- p. 62–63Franklin avoids unkind preference between two friends, taking half the loan from each, showing even-handed regard in friendship.read · scan
- p. 63–64Friends Hamilton and Breintnal give practical help and patronage, showing friendship as useful assistance.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 231A friendless fugitive is rescued by a poor priest who risks a powerful enemy to help him escape; shows loyalty and kindness in need.read · scan
John Collins, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 592–593Wish for a contented old age including a purse for a friend who wants to borrow and sharing one's table with friends.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to ConquerVol. 18
- p. 219Marlow, shy with women, comes down chiefly to help his friend Hastings win Miss Neville, lending his family's standing; Hastings is moved by this unselfish loyalty.read · scan
- p. 233–234Hastings offers himself as the friend who will relieve Tony of Miss Neville; Tony pledges help to the last drop of blood, showing friendship as mutual service.read · scan
- p. 259–261Hastings sees Tony's faithful help as proof of friendship ('This looks like friendship'); Tony claims to be his best friend, aiding him at cost of trouble.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 304–305Werner offers to share his savings with the impoverished Tellheim, and Tellheim calls the dead captain his friend, a title he uses sparingly, showing friendship's rarity and generosity.read · scan
- p. 311–313Werner, the former sergeant, urges Tellheim to take his money and insists Tellheim keep it, showing loyal devotion and readiness to help a friend in need.read · scan
- p. 334–335Werner devises a plan to help Marloff's widow and his friend Tellheim pay a debt, showing a friend's loyal, quiet generosity toward a proud friend.read · scan
- p. 336–337Werner offers his money to Tellheim and lies to spare his pride; Tellheim refuses out of honour, showing friendship's generosity and its strain with pride.read · scan
- p. 337–338Werner argues a friend's goods are shared and debts of life-saving outweigh money; Tellheim's pride resists owing him, testing loyalty and mutual obligation.read · scan
- p. 338–339Werner trusts Tellheim would share his last penny; he says one who refuses a friend's help will not give when asked, a reciprocity of friendship.read · scan
- p. 359–360Tellheim turns to loyal Werner in need, who gives money readily and without reproach, showing a friend's ready loyalty and trust with confidences.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 135–137Sir Peter invokes loyalty to a particular friend being slandered, asking Mrs. Candour not to defend the abusers; friendship set against scandal.read · scan
- p. 153–155Careless declares himself always ready to serve Charles with word, note or bond, showing loyal companionship among convivial friends.read · scan
- p. 160–161Charles refuses to sell his uncle's portrait out of loyalty and gratitude to the old man who was good to him.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 134–136Dedication addresses Aiken as his honoured friend, prizing a friend's esteem and praise above selfish reward.read · scan
- p. 312–314Laments that 'the friendly e'er should want a friend'; addresses a patron as friend of his life, hesitating to ask his friendly aid and craving his friendship.read · scan
- p. 377–379Addresses Fintry as 'friend o' my muse, friend o' my life', my stay in worldly strife; also drinking fellowship where all are in one accord.read · scan
- p. 543–545Addresses a 'friend of the Poet, tried and leal,' asking a favor of money, invoking a loyal friend's kindness and wishing him domestic peace.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 617–620Michael stood surety for his kinsman, who fell into misfortune and forfeited the pledge; he then counts on another kinsman to be 'our friend' in distress, showing obligation and reliance.read · scan
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 727–728Leoline's hospitality to his friend's daughter is felt as dishonoured; duty to a friend's child is at stake.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 138The guardian recognizes Cristoforo's hand as an intimate friend's; his sympathetic reading of the recommendation shows friendship prompting service to a friend's protégées.read · scan
- p. 144The guardian reflects warmly on his 'good friend' Cristoforo, glad to have served him quickly; friendship shown as willing, effective help and mutual goodwill.read · scan
- p. 181Attilio offers to serve Rodrigo 'like a relation and a friend', pledging help and counsel in avenging himself on the friar; friendship as partisan loyalty.read · scan
- p. 181–182Attilio takes his cousin's side as friendship and honour require, by his own lights, yet cannot help laughing at his friend's failure; loyalty mixed with mockery.read · scan
- p. 286Bortolo generously offers money and shelter to his cousin Renzo, reasoning wealth is given to serve relations and friends first; loyal help in need.read · scan
- p. 320Don Rodrigo calls on the Unnamed's promises of aid as a friend who never promises in vain; the Unnamed scrutinizes even his oldest friends with suspicion.read · scan
- p. 615–616Renzo turns to his hospitable friend, who takes him in, lights a fire, fetches his bundle and offers food; friendship shown as practical kindness and shared joy.read · scan
- p. 616–617The friend feeds and shelters Renzo, who confides his news and asks him to witness the wedding, and helps with his work in return; reciprocal fellowship.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 295Beatrice recalls Lucretia as their only friend in infancy who shielded them, and pledges loyalty not to abandon her.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Sir Walter ScottVol. 25
- p. 431Scott's bond with his henchman Tom Purdie, marked by years of kind treatment and confidence, shows loyal companionship across social rank; otherwise mostly description and visitors.read · scan
John Henry Newman, The Idea of a UniversityVol. 28
- p. 54Gregory, Basil's bosom-friend, shelters him at Athens and secures his exemption from the freshman hazing: friendship as protection and loyalty.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, GiftsVol. 5
- p. 221–222Service to a friend seems trivial beside the goodwill one bears him; services cannot join people, only likeness and love make them feel one another.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 21–22Ricardo, the father's intimate friend, published only through the father's friendly encouragement and entreaty, showing a friend's support drawing out another's work and public career.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 7–9Darwin gratefully acknowledges Captain Fitz Roy's cordial friendship and steady assistance over five years of shared voyage, showing friendship as kindness and support.read · scan
- p. 10Darwin thanks Professor Henslow, mentor and correspondent, who gave every assistance 'the kindest friend could offer', friendship as helpful loyalty.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 265Dana works to save Ben by offering wages and clothes to a volunteer, an act of solidarity and sacrifice for a shipmate.read · scan
- p. 295–296The mate, a good friend, secretly has rice boiled for Dana against the captain's refusal, showing loyal kindness at risk.read · scan
Walt Whitman, Preface to Leaves of GrassVol. 39
- p. 404Lists self-sacrificing acts including offering substance or life for a friend's sake as lasting good.read · scan
4b.Frankness, counsel and admonition
See also: Prudence 3c
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 41Advice on friends: speak faithfully, guide skilfully, stop if vain; a gentleman gathers friends by culture and props love with friendship.read · scan
- p. 44–45An educated man is earnest and encouraging with friends.read · scan
- p. 64–65Tzu-yu judges his friend Chang as capable of hard feats yet void of love, a friend's candid assessment.read · scan
Aeschylus, Prometheus BoundVol. 8
- p. 188–189Prometheus invokes the duty of frankness: it is meet that friends speak plainly to friends, and he speaks openly to Io.read · scan
Herodotus, An Account of EgyptVol. 33
- p. 84–85Amasis's friends, troubled by his frivolity, venture to admonish him about kingly conduct: friendship shown as candid counsel to a ruler.read · scan
- p. 85Amasis's friends admonish him frankly about his undignified conduct, and he answers them with the bow analogy; shows friends as counsellors who speak candidly.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 38–39Friends must give and accept frank reproof; compliance and flattery ruin a friend; truth from friends versus pleasant false friends.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 117Shows friends' offices: candid advice to Annalis, speaking well of others' devotion, and Cicero's annoyance at a courtesy lapse; urges welcoming a young man into intimacy.read · scan
- p. 129–130Cicero praises his friend's candid, loyal judgment, promises partnership in all things, and pledges lasting gratitude for the friend's services and affection, offering his writings for the friend's criticism.read · scan
- p. 142–146Cicero seeks Atticus's counsel on family matters and speaks of Saufeius's and Appius's long-standing affection and esteem as valued friendship.read · scan
- p. 149Atticus's affectionate warning to stay vigilant stirs Cicero's anxiety; Cicero gives Caelius candid advice on his conduct as a friend.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 152Anna counsels Dido as friend and sister, urging her to accept love; her advice overcomes Dido's scruples, showing a confidant's persuasive counsel.read · scan
- p. 197Nautes counsels Aeneas to trust his friend Acestes with the weak and old; friendship shown as trusted counsel and entrusting of one's people.read · scan
- p. 304Nisus counsels restraint to his friend Euryalus; a belt is mentioned as a gift sealing a vow of friendship and hospitable ties.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 465Asiarchs who were Paul's friends send counsel begging him not to risk himself in the theatre: friends' protective advice.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 222Cicero asks a man he counted a friend about his fame; the friend's indifferent reply mortifies him, showing a friend's candour deflating vanity.read · scan
- p. 249Cato privately chides Cicero for joining Pompey, arguing he could have served country and friends better by staying neutral: counsel given by a friend.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 200–201Pliny's warm affection for the young Minutius, and his refusal to let it inflate his praise, bears on honest counsel in recommending a friend.read · scan
- p. 238Pliny writes in grief for Spurinna's son and sends the whole tribute out of open, friendly candor. He asks for frank correction as proof of unreserve.read · scan
- p. 262Pliny values a friend's frankness in reporting the talk about his verses, and friendly censure, as an instance of friendship.read · scan
- p. 266Pliny writes candidly to his friend, unwilling to conceal opinion or prejudice, and presumes on the friend's indulgence of his lengthy description.read · scan
- p. 304–305Pliny submits his work to two or three friends for candid correction before wider recitation, treating friends as trusted critics.read · scan
- p. 305Friends serve as counsellors on his writings; Pomponius Secundus, when differing with an intimate friend, appealed to the people, and Pliny recites to a select circle whose judgment he values.read · scan
- p. 331Pliny reads to friends, holding that their patience shows love, and that he puts friends before himself; friends must be more than idle amusement.read · scan
- p. 331–332A friend who prefers finding a friend's work correct rather than helping correct it is like a stranger; affection assumed between Pliny and friend, then admonishing a friend out of affection.read · scan
- p. 337–338Pliny admonishes a friend out of great affection to treat his son leniently; also acts for Helvidius, Arria and Fannia as friends, though from public duty.read · scan
- p. 338–340Consular friends warn Pliny with earnest counsel against risking himself, pleading prudence; he declines to desist.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 195Duties toward a friend who finds fault: restore him rather than ignore it; believing oneself loved by friends; friends needing no guesswork about candid Severus.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 87Augustine's chance remark reforms Alypius, who loves him more for it; illustrates friendship's moral influence and 'rebuke a wise man and he will love thee'.read · scan
- p. 93–94Alypius dissuades Augustine from marriage so they can live together in love of wisdom; friend's counsel resisted, and Augustine leads him toward snares.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 234Virgil, moved by Statius's affection, speaks with a friend's licence and asks forgiveness as friend; love kindles love, and friendship allows frank questioning.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 220Bearing one another's burdens: comforting, helping, admonishing one another and living in amity and concord in community; mutual duties of fellowship.read · scan
Nicolaus Copernicus, Dedication of the Revolutions of the Heavenly BodiesVol. 39
- p. 53Copernicus's friends, Cardinal Schonberg and Bishop Giese, urge and reproach him into publishing, showing friends' counsel overcoming his fear and hesitation.read · scan
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian LibertyVol. 36
- p. 343–344Luther justifies his frank, unflattering warning to the Pope as faithful, charitable solicitude, asking to be judged his friend for refusing to flatter in a perilous matter.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 90–91A familiar friend, Witford, is consulted for advice and warns More against the bishop's counsel; friendship shown as candid, protective counsel.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 83–84Cellini's joyful reunion with his brother, and a dear friend, Piero Landi, who helped him earlier and now advises him to stay in Florence.read · scan
- p. 100–101Berlinghieri, a good friend, restrains Cellini from a rash revenge, acting for his good against his will; shows friends' protective loyalty.read · scan
- p. 148Friends warn Cellini of plots against his life and advise flight, showing friends' loyal counsel and protection in danger.read · scan
- p. 171Friends visit the sick Cellini; Niccolo, a loyal friend, warns him of the Duke's anger, showing friendship as concern and counsel.read · scan
- p. 200–201Friends counsel Cellini against violent revenge on the absconding workman and advise legal redress; he heeds their advice.read · scan
- p. 355–356Old acquaintances in Venice welcome Cellini warmly and frankly warn him against returning to Florence, showing friendly counsel.read · scan
- p. 407–408A friend, Girolamo degli Albizzi, offers to mediate Cellini's quarrel with the Duke; shows friendly counsel and trusted intercession, though the friend proves ill-suited to the task.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 132Garret leaves a lead plate warning Drake of Spanish betrayal of the port, signed as his loving friend; loyal counsel shown through friendly warning.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 6–7The friend rebukes the author's sloth and gives candid counsel, relieving his perplexity; shows a friend's frank correction and help in need.read · scan
- p. 9–10Author acknowledges the friend's discretion and the good fortune of finding so good a counsellor at a pinch.read · scan
- p. 232Curate and barber, neighbors of Don Quixote, scheme to lure him home from his penance, showing friends' care and counsel for a friend's madness.read · scan
- p. 307–308Anselmo complains of Lothario's absence; both discuss the friend's duty to guard honour and warn of faults; Lothario is discreet, loyal and trusty.read · scan
- p. 312–313Lothario, out of love for his friend, refuses to leave him in his folly, reasons with him and counsels against the harmful request.read · scan
- p. 315Lothario addresses Anselmo as friend while dissuading him from testing Camilla; friendly counsel is implied, but the passage mainly concerns a wife's honour.read · scan
- p. 361Don Fernando's friends, the curate and barber, counsel him with reasons to do right by Dorothea, showing friends' duty of persuasion.read · scan
Sir Philip Sidney, The Defense of PoesyVol. 27
- p. 25Nathan's confronting David with his sin is called the tenderest office of a friend: honest reproof at the cost of discomfort.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 69Second fruit of friendship: clarifying the understanding by discoursing with a friend, and receiving faithful counsel from him.read · scan
- p. 69A friend's counsel is purer than self-counsel and distinct from a flatterer's; a friend's frank admonition corrects faults; only a perfect friend gives unbiased counsel.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 244The Old Man tries to save Faustus from despair with compassionate counsel, called 'sweet friend'; Faustus then turns on him, having his tormentor punish him.read · scan
- p. 247Faustus, doomed, turns to the scholars as 'sweet friends' and confesses; they respond with counsel to call on God and offer prayer.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 471Askew pledges himself wholly to cousin Lacy and warns him of the uncle's spies, showing loyalty and counsel between kinsmen and friends.read · scan
Ben Jonson, On ShakespeareVol. 27
- p. 55Jonson's honest, loving yet candid judgment of Shakespeare: he loved the man but would not flatter, and faults the friends' ignorant praise.read · scan
William Harvey, On the Motion of the Heart and Blood in AnimalsVol. 38
- p. 76Harvey publishes at the requests of his friends, who wish to share in his labours; friends' urging contrasted with envious detractors.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 862Wellborn offers frank counsel to Allworth as duty of friendship inherited from his father's friend, warning him against a foolish love match.read · scan
- p. 916Lady Allworth speaks 'as to an honoured friend,' offering frank, true counsel to Lovell; friendly privacy as occasion for candid advice.read · scan
- p. 916–919Lovell calls their exchange 'friendly privacy,' a means to search each other and show care and respect; candid counsel between friends.read · scan
René Descartes, Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Seeking the Truth in the SciencesVol. 34
- p. 6Descartes observes that friends' judgments are suspect when they favor us, since partiality clouds their praise of our work.read · scan
- p. 54Descartes finds objections from friends, indifferent persons and enemies alike unhelpful; friends' partiality conceals faults from them, so friendly criticism is unreliable.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 87Fabian counsels the grieving Severus with loyal concern, urging him to spare himself pain and to stay true to himself. Severus calls him 'good friend'.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 180God bids Raphael converse with Adam 'as friend with friend', framing friendly counsel and warning as the model of a friend's duty.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 223–224Christiana and Mercy plead for Great-heart's company, calling him faithful, loving and counselling, and ask how they can go on without a Friend and Defender.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 17–19Cites Horace: friendship lets one call a friend's fault by a neighbouring virtue; criticizes commending friends the wrong way, showing tact and indulgence among friends.read · scan
- p. 24–26Ventidius is praised as firm to his prince as a friend, not a slave, never a sharer in his pleasures, but counsellor of his cooler hours.read · scan
- p. 29Ventidius claims the privilege of plain love to speak unwelcome truth; Antony's accusation of treachery strains their friendship, while Ventidius cites his loyalty in coming to die with him.read · scan
- p. 57Dolabella claims to be a true friend whose chiding stabs his own heart; Antony feels reproach from a friend; friendship shown as candid, tender counsel.read · scan
- p. 61–65Dolabella and Ventidius join in pressing Antony back to duty; Dolabella addressed as 'Friend' in shared loyal effort.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 73Even friends who wish a fault mended scarcely dare tell those they love of ill breeding; good breeding also wins a young man more friends.read · scan
- p. 81–82Counsel between father and son: advise as a friend of more experience, without command, so confidence and kindness build trust and the son fears offending so good a friend.read · scan
- p. 123Observes that a real friend's sincerity and good intention seldom atone for the discomfort of grave representations; pleasing civility is preferred.read · scan
- p. 142–143A tutor tempered with tenderness is heard as a friend who cherishes pupils, making them receptive to learning.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 376Honest frankness advised to a friend; disguise and art used to betray a friend are condemned.read · scan
Jonathan Swift, On the Death of Esther Johnson [Stella]Vol. 27
- p. 122–124Praises Stella's counsel, candour and conversation among friends; Addison would have cultivated her friendship; friends cared for her in her dying illness.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 73–74Barclay signs himself the king's 'faithful friend', offering plain, faithful counsel that refuses to flatter, showing friendship as honest admonition.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 40–41Denham gives frank counsel about Keith and practical advice; Franklin's loyal warning to Hamilton wins a friend who helps him for years.read · scan
- p. 47–48Wygate grows attached to Franklin through shared interests; Franklin heeds the counsel of his good friend Denham, who dissuades him from travelling Europe.read · scan
- p. 53Meredith's regard for Franklin leads to counsel and a partnership offer; Keimer says old friends should not part over a few words.read · scan
- p. 68–69Abel James, a friend, writes affectionately urging Franklin to continue his memoirs for public good; shows friendly counsel.read · scan
- p. 87A Quaker friend candidly tells Franklin he is proud and overbearing, prompting self-correction; shows friend's honest counsel.read · scan
- p. 132Franklin closes his appeal to the farmers as their sincere friend and well-wisher, using friendly counsel and warning to persuade them.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 179Woolman, with much inward struggle, admonishes an older valued friend who lost his spiritual footing; the reproof was well taken and useful to both. Also shows companionship in travel.read · scan
- p. 215–216A Mennonist declines the hospitality of an acquaintance because of his treatment of slaves, then frankly admonishes him; friendship tested by candor about wrongdoing.read · scan
- p. 244–245Warns that superficial, outside friendship and kindness from hosts can hinder honest speaking; failing to admonish friends' faults while keeping a face of friendship undermines true unity.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 280–281Secretary urges Egmont to answer old Count Oliva kindly, a loving, delicately warning friend; Egmont admits his affectionate solicitude while resisting the counsel.read · scan
- p. 281–282Egmont questions whether friendship means warning a sleepwalker of danger; he resents old Oliva's anxious counsel, yet sees it as a friend's tighter grasp before parting.read · scan
- p. 287–288Orange urges Egmont to flee and weeps for him as a lost friend; loyal counsel and anticipated loss, with Egmont's refusal to heed it.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 144–145Sir Peter intends to confide his suspicions to his friend Joseph, expecting sincere counsel; trust in a friend's opinion (ironically misplaced).read · scan
George Washington, Washington's Farewell AddressVol. 43
- p. 235Washington offers counsel as a disinterested 'parting friend' with no personal motive to bias it, showing friendly counsel's sincerity.read · scan
- p. 247–248Washington frames his advice as the counsels of an old and affectionate friend, hoping it may benefit and warn, though not expecting to prevail.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 306–309Beatrice greets Orsino as friend and seeks his counsel in her wrong; finds it cold and useless, showing strain of a friend's counsel.read · scan
- p. 314Giacomo appeals 'Are you not my friend?' reminding Orsino of his earlier counsel; friendship invoked as claim to aid and counsel in vengeance.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, FriendshipVol. 5
- p. 110Real friendship is solid and demanding; its first element is Truth, a friend being one with whom I can be sincere and drop dissimulation.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CharacterVol. 5
- p. 191–192Solemn friends warn gifted natures against praise and vanity; their counsel is well meant and forgiven, though needless.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 227The Hen claims that telling disagreeable truths is the mark of one's true friends, offering a view of candid counsel as proof of friendship.read · scan
Robert Louis Stevenson, Truth of IntercourseVol. 28
- p. 282With chosen friends and lovers truth is easily conveyed and understood; quarrels breed distance; moral equality and respect are needed for candid intercourse.read · scan
- p. 283–284In dear intimacies one must fight for truth; a doubt turns past confidence into charge; slighter intimacies hardly repay the effort; understanding others wins understanding.read · scan
4c.Confidence and keeping of secrets
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 5Joy when friends gather from afar; Tseng-tzu's daily self-examination asks whether he has been untrue to friends, making fidelity a duty.read · scan
- p. 17–18Confucius's wish: to be true to friends, alongside caring for the old and young.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 331–334Phaedra curses the nurse for betraying her secret and bringing harmful aid to friends who did not want it; the nurse pleads she meant to be a good friend.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 386Jesus addresses his disciples as friends and counsels them not to fear, implying confidence and counsel between friends.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 25Pausanias confides his treason to intimate friend Themistocles, who refuses but keeps the secret, showing loyalty and its strain between friends.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 314Caesar trusts Brutus and dismisses informers' warnings, showing loyalty and confidence in a friend; Brutus's favors received strain against conspiracy, foreshadowing betrayal.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 331Conspirators choose trusty friends; Trebonius sounded Antony, who kept the secret faithfully and did not betray it to Caesar.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 188Pliny reports the affair to his friend as owed to their mutual friendship, which entitles him to know all his actions and plans; also notes fear outweighing friendship.read · scan
- p. 256Dying Corellius commends Pliny as a friend to be trusted; Pliny feels bound to honor that confidence and serve Corellius's daughter despite risk.read · scan
- p. 266–272Pliny entrusts a delicate bequest to a friend, relying on their intimate friendship and the friend's discretion to act for him as he would himself.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 150–151Monica as peacemaker refuses to carry angry words from a confiding friend to the absent enemy, working only toward reconciliation; discretion and loyalty in speech.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 60A conspirator confiding in a discontented accomplice must find him a rare friend or be betrayed; shows the fragility of loyalty and secrecy among companions.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 87–88Cellini entrusts his goods to Piero Landi, who loyally tells him to flee and praises him as the most loyal, wise, discreet and affectionate friend he has known.read · scan
- p. 188Cellini entrusts all his possessions to his faithful friend Felice on leaving Rome, and Ascanio pledges lifelong devotion, showing loyalty and trust.read · scan
- p. 250Cellini entrusts his money to Galluzzi as to no dearer friend; Galluzzi insists on returning it, showing trust between friends, then ruin loses it.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 97Ambrosio calls Chrysostom his friend and recounts how his friend confided the history of his misfortunes to him at this place; confidence between friends.read · scan
- p. 104Ambrosio, who knew his friend's hidden secrets, defends Chrysostom's canzone and pledges that all his friends will serve Marcela; friendship as intimate knowledge and loyalty.read · scan
- p. 203Cardenio recounts deep amity with Don Fernando, confidences shared between friends, and his duty as friend to dissuade Fernando's scheme.read · scan
- p. 204Cardenio, bound by the 'law of amity' to conceal nothing, confides in Fernando about Lucinda, and this trust leads to betrayal.read · scan
- p. 308–309Anselmo prizes his friend as God's great gift and asks to confide a secret, trusting his true friend to help him.read · scan
- p. 310Lothario says concealing thoughts wrongs amity, since a friend owes counsel and remedy; Anselmo asks his friend to test his wife.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 118Hamlet appeals to Horatio and Marcellus as friends, scholars and soldiers to keep silence and swear; trust and fellowship tested.read · scan
- p. 118–120Hamlet binds his friends to secrecy and pledges his love and 'friending' to them, showing loyalty and trust as duties of friendship.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 789Antonio greets Delio as noble friend and beloved; their easy intimacy allows confidence about court dangers, though mostly greeting.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 890–892Lovell pledges loyalty and secrecy to Allworth, who trusted him with his dearest secret; trust, fidelity and a bond more like father than master.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 331–332Donne answers Morton as a dear friend, grateful for his kindness, and trusts him as confessor with his conscience while declining the offer.read · scan
- p. 349–350Donne calls King his most dear and faithful friend, refusing a favour on conscience but entrusting him as executor, confident of his care and justice.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 416Dying Herbert entrusts his will and care of his wife and nieces to his old friend Woodnot, who stays at the deathbed; friendship shown as trust and fidelity.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 258–259Never revealed or disputed his private opinions even with dearest friends, showing restraint in confiding in friends.read · scan
- p. 315Even nearest friends see him only through a cloud; no man truly knows another, limiting friends' knowledge and judgment.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Samson says betraying a friend's secrets deserves contempt and exclusion from all friendship, marking the blabber as a fool; loyalty and confidence.read · scan
Molière, Tartuffe, or The HypocriteVol. 26
- p. 277–280Orgon kept his exiled friend Argas's strongbox in trust, showing a friend's confidence, and the danger of entrusting it to the traitor Tartuffe.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 72–73Asks who would choose such an unbelieving man as a friend, confide affairs to him, or turn to him in affliction; friend as confidant and comforter.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 67–69Antony trusts Dolabella alone to deliver painful parting news gently, showing reliance on a friend's tenderness; Dolabella takes on the task.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 81Locke argues a father wins his son's friendship through confident communication of affairs; reserve and distance forfeit it, while a sure friend to consult is valued.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 135Hippolytus confides his secret love to Theramenes, a friend and tutor who has known his heart since infancy and whose loyal service bound them together.read · scan
- p. 185–186Hippolytus trusts Aricia with his secret, asks her silence, and proposes appealing to friends at Argos and Sparta for justice.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 21–22Friend Collins loyally helps Franklin's secret escape from Boston by arranging passage and keeping his confidence, showing friendship as practical loyalty.read · scan
David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingVol. 37
- p. 360Intimate friendship with an honest man grounds confident trust that he will not harm or rob me in my house; friendship shown as assured trust.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 213A fellow minister confides his scruple over the war tax, moved by sympathy felt in meeting; Woolman answers with shared scruple, showing confidence and mutual counsel between like-minded companions.read · scan
Immanuel Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of MoralsVol. 32
- p. 319Even if there never had been a sincere friend, sincerity in friendship is still a duty required by reason a priori.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 296–297Egmont laments being surrounded by friends he dares not trust, contrasting this guardedness with the unreserved confidence he finds with Clara.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 167–169Sir Peter unburdens family secrets to Joseph, prizing a friend one can trust; Joseph feigns sympathy, betraying it. Also the ingratitude of Charles toward an old friend's nephew.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 202–204Advice to a young friend: be frank with a bosom crony yet keep something back; shows counsel and the limits of confiding in friends.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 387Gertrude asks whether Stauffacher has a friend in Uri to whom he can frankly unbosom his thoughts; counsel and trust among friends.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 184–186Ironic reflection that friendship's consolation is sharing secrets in confidence, yet the chain of confidential friends spreads any secret to everyone, defeating its purpose.read · scan
- p. 186–187Shows the chain of confiding friends at work: a man tells a secret to a trusted friend, and it reaches Griso and Rodrigo.read · scan
- p. 553The friend observes that speaking of shared miseries to one's friends brings relief; friendship as consolation and confidence.read · scan
- p. 604–605The widow wants to keep Lucia like a daughter or sister; Lucia confides her story to her friend, showing intimacy and trust born of shared affliction.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 310Beatrice demands Orsino pledge himself as her friend, 'false or true?', before revealing her plan; friendship is tested as sworn loyalty and service.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 86Mill's isolation in depression: he had no friend to whom he could confide his grief, implying that real love would make confiding a necessity.read · scan
Robert Louis Stevenson, Truth of IntercourseVol. 28
- p. 277Truth to one's own heart and friends, never feigning emotion, is what makes love possible; the habitual liar may still live truly with friends.read · scan
- p. 281Truthful communication depends on mutual love; even amid difficulty of understanding, the beloved remains 'the friend of my heart.'read · scan
4d.Care in sickness, grief and death
See also: Medicine 4d · Love 7d
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 39Nestor and Menelaus sailed as loving friends; Menelaus is delayed to bury his friend, the pilot Phrontis, showing loyalty and duty to a lost companion.read · scan
- p. 146–147Elpenor's ghost begs his companion Odysseus for burial, a duty owed to a dead friend; Odysseus weeps, promises, and calls him his friend.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 32Confucius buries a friend with no home; he does not bow for friends' gifts, showing friends' shared property and duty in death.read · scan
- p. 32Confucius's face changes on meeting a mourner who is a friend, showing sympathy toward a friend's grief.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 42–43The Ass visits his dying friend the Horse and admits envy was mistaken; a brief note on companionship and its loss.read · scan
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 72–73Job's three friends come to comfort him, weep, and sit silent seven days beside his great grief.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 182The psalmist mourned and fasted for his enemies in sickness as for a friend or brother, yet they repay good with evil.read · scan
Plato, CritoVol. 2
- p. 31–32Crito's sorrow at bringing news of Socrates' coming death, grief shared by all his friends; his tender restraint in not waking him shows a friend's care.read · scan
Plato, PhaedoVol. 2
- p. 45–46Echecrates asks which friends were with Socrates at his death and whether he died alone; friends' presence at dying is valued.read · scan
- p. 83Socrates says his aim in arguing is partly to spare his friends lamentation at his death, while urging them to seek truth rather than himself.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 99Cicero visits the ailing Sestius despite grievances and defends him, showing loyalty and gratitude; notes Atticus advised him to keep Sestius's friendship.read · scan
- p. 154Cicero shows tender solicitude for the sick Tiro, counsels caution, arranges physician and money; relies on Tiro's affection for him.read · scan
- p. 155Tender care for Tiro; and reflection that genuine love is hard to tell from feigned unless tested by danger like gold in fire.read · scan
- p. 165Sulpicius consoles a bereaved friend, explaining that friends would share the sorrow face to face and setting down counsel; consolation as a duty of friendship.read · scan
- p. 166–167Appeals to the bereaved man's duty toward his friends and comrades who mourn with him, urging him to moderate grief.read · scan
- p. 168Cicero thanks a friend for shared sorrow and consolation; a friend's sympathy and character console, and the lost loved one was his refuge and repose.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 210Sibyl reminds Aeneas of his unburied friend's fate and duty of funeral rites; Achates shown as faithful companion sharing his grief.read · scan
- p. 210Aeneas honors dead Misenus with funeral and tomb, friends contributing offerings; duty owed to a lost friend.read · scan
- p. 210Aeneas meets the ghost of his pilot Palinurus, grieving the lost friend; Palinurus says his care was for their safety.read · scan
- p. 325Aeneas, hearing of Pallas's death, is moved by the friendship, plighted hand and hospitable ties owed to Evander and Pallas, and avenges his friend with sacrificial captives.read · scan
- p. 355Aeneas mourns his fallen friend Pallas, sends the body home and honors dead companions as a last respect owed by the living.read · scan
- p. 412Aeneas refuses mercy to Turnus because he wears the belt of Pallas, 'my friend'; loyalty to a slain friend demands vengeance.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 476–477Felix orders that Paul's friends not be forbidden to minister to him in custody: friends' duty of care and service.read · scan
- p. 481–482Julius kindly lets Paul visit his friends to refresh himself, showing the comfort friends give a prisoner.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 72Plague takes many of Pericles's friends, useful to him in statecraft; he bears the loss stoically, and his son borrows from a friend in his name.read · scan
- p. 73–74Pericles, dejected in mourning, is persuaded by Alcibiades and other friends to return and show himself to the people.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 319–320Cinna, a friend of Caesar's, goes out of respect to the burning corpse despite ill omens and is mistaken for a conspirator and killed.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 197Pliny mourns Corellius Rufus, a dear friend; suicide leaves friends inconsolable, and intimate friends were admitted to his private confidences in illness.read · scan
- p. 209Pliny's anxious devotion to his ill friend Aristo, admired for his virtue and counsel; the friends' entreaties give Aristo a reason to live, and attendance on him consumes Pliny.read · scan
- p. 210Aristo yields to his friends' affectionate entreaties not to end his life; Pliny's anxious attendance and need for a correspondent's consolation show friendship's strains.read · scan
- p. 246–248Pliny gave Martial a gift as a testimony of friendship and mourns him, treating gifts and grief as the fitting response to a poet-friend.read · scan
- p. 255–256Pliny honors Corellius's friendship: total confidence, esteem, support, counsel and guidance; loyalty to the friend's memory obliges him to defend the daughter.read · scan
- p. 282–283Neglect of Verginius's unfinished tomb prompts the remark that faithful friends are rare and the dead soon forgotten.read · scan
- p. 305–307Pliny's deep concern for his sick friend Fannia, praised as lovable as well as admirable; grief at the prospect of her loss.read · scan
- p. 307–309Pliny grieves the possible loss of Fannia and her mother, whom he loved equally; recalls comforting them in exile, avenging them, and owing them a debt.read · scan
- p. 325–326Weeping on a friend's bosom brings comfort, as the friend approves or pardons our tears.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 122–123Joy at a sick friend's recovery exceeds ordinary joy; the law that greater joy follows greater pain holds even in the purest perfection of friendship.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 43Beowulf says it is better to avenge friends than fruitlessly mourn them, answering Hrothgar's grief for Æschere.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 166–168Roland tends wounded Turpin, gathers his fallen companions, and grieves inconsolably for Olivier, the friend he loved tenderly; loss of comrades shown in devoted care.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 127–129Grahame kills himself over his slain friend Bewick, who asks burial together; the fathers mourn loss of a companion who would guard his back.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 53–54Rigogli refuses to leave the sick Cellini, knowing his duty toward a friend in life or death; Cellini later visits friend Rosso with warm reunion.read · scan
- p. 165Felice tends the sick Cellini with devoted, loving service; Cellini rebukes Mattio's mockery and asks for friends of discretion and better intelligence at his bedside.read · scan
- p. 165–166Felice desperately seeks the doctor, weeping, for his apparently dead friend; Varchi, Cellini's dear friend, mourns his supposed death in a sonnet.read · scan
- p. 167Felice weeps and embraces Cellini, wanting only him alive; Cellini makes him heir; friends crowd in to see him revived.read · scan
- p. 168Varchi's sonnet laments the supposed death of 'our friend'; Felice never leaves Cellini's side in his illness.read · scan
- p. 169Felice's grief and fury at the supposed poisoning of his friend show devoted loyalty; Cellini calls him 'my poor friend'.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 97–98Ambrosio praises Chrysostom as 'a phoenix for friendship'; Vivaldo urges him, as friend, not to burn the dead friend's papers, weighing loyalty to a friend's will against reason.read · scan
- p. 108–109Ambrosio appeals to the shepherds' obligation to their good friend Chrysostom, keeping them at the burial: duty owed to a dead friend.read · scan
- p. 199Don Quixote offers sympathy to a stranger, saying it is a consolation in affliction to have one who condoles with us.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 50Edward mourns the death of his friend Gaveston, swears vengeance, and Arundel recounts his failed pledge to save him; loss of a friend drives grief and revenge.read · scan
- p. 54–56Edward rages at Warwick for beheading poor Pierce despite Pembroke's pledge; Isabella 'makes friends' abroad. Loyalty to a lost friend is avenged.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 207Dying Hamlet asks Horatio, if he ever held him in his heart, to delay death and tell his story; Horatio would die with him.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 310Edgar guides and nurses blind Gloucester; Kent's loyal grief over Lear and Gloucester shows devoted fellowship in suffering, and a bond kept through disguise.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 333–334Sir Robert Drewry is praised as a friend who sympathised with Donne and his family in all joys and sorrows; friends' persuasion moves Donne.read · scan
- p. 346–347Lincoln's Inn friends fear for Donne's health in grief and part from him with reluctance; he returns to them restored, showing friends' care.read · scan
- p. 349Dr. King, Donne's dear friend, visits him daily in sickness and offers to secure him financial advantage, showing a friend's solicitous duty.read · scan
- p. 364Old friend Dr. Fox, who loved Donne entirely, persistently urges treatment and persuades him to accept a monument, showing devoted friendly care.read · scan
- p. 368–369Mourning friends and unknown admirers attend Donne's grave, strew flowers, send money for his monument; friend Dr. Fox's faithful memorial; his company a delight of mankind.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 397–399Bishop Henchman, who ordained Herbert, later carried his 'dear friend' to the grave; friendship ending in loss by death.read · scan
- p. 414–415Old and dear friend Woodnot comes from London and stays with Herbert until his death, showing faithful companionship in dying.read · scan
- p. 416–418Herbert charges Woodnot to care for his family 'by the religion of our friendship,' treating friendship as a sacred bond of duty beyond justice.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Manoa urges Samson to admit healing words from his friends; the Chorus doubts consolatory counsel avails the afflicted without inner comfort.read · scan
- p. 415Manoa acknowledges the Chorus's friendly minds as they share his hope and joy for Samson's deliverance, showing fellowship in a friend's grief and hope.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 315–316Stand-fast, dying, entrusts his family to Great-heart, who has been profitable to him, showing trust and obligation between companions.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 191–193Dying Hippolytus calls Theramenes dear friend and entrusts him with care of Aricia and a last message; Theramenes faithfully discharges the duty.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 49–50Denham counsels Franklin as a father with sincere regard, is loved in return, and leaves a legacy; his death ends the bond.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 269Says the soothing endearments of friendship console us in affliction, and that pleasures would be solitary and miserable without someone to share them.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and BeautifulVol. 24
- p. 34–35Poet's grief for dead friends is framed as a friendly duty owed, honored by a grateful tear; mourning as loyalty to lost friends.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 305–306Tellheim honors a dead comrade's friendship, refuses repayment of his debt, and will care for the friend's orphan son, showing loyalty and duty to friends beyond death.read · scan
- p. 306–307Tellheim generously promises to secure the dead friend Marloff's claims for his widow, extending friendship's obligations to the friend's family.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 331–332Egmont entrusts his beloved and servant to Ferdinand's care, trusting his noble soul; a tender parting between new friends.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, An Address Delivered before the Senior Class in Divinity CollegeVol. 5
- p. 38–39Urges the preacher to be a friend to timid souls, sharing their doubts and drawing out their instincts; memorable souls who spoke our thoughts win love.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, FriendshipVol. 5
- p. 112Second element of friendship is Tenderness; it must be practical with justice and fidelity, rejecting worldly alliances, and give aid and comfort in hardship and death.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1317Friends gather around Evangeline after her father's death with compassion and tears, and bury him together: consolation in fellowship.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 25–26Swift's poem praises Stella as best pattern of true friends, whose devoted nursing warmed by friendship endangers her; then Swift's neglect of her for Vanessa.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 261Dana's loyal care for his sick friend Hope: visiting him, giving medicines, seeking help from captains, receiving gratitude; also comradeship among friends Harris and S.read · scan
Walt Whitman, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1403–1404Vigil over a slain comrade shows soldier-friendship as devoted love and care, grief at loss and death, and hope of meeting again; also praises 'manly friendship' of youths.read · scan
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