1Since, however, as I said above, friendship is formed if some sign of virtue shines out, to which a like mind may attach and join itself, when that happens love must necessarily arise. 49For what is so absurd as to take delight in many empty things, such as office, glory, buildings, clothing and adornment of the body, and not to take great delight in a living being endowed with virtue, one who can love or, so to speak, love in return? 49For nothing is more delightful than the repayment of goodwill, nothing more so than the exchange of devotion and services. 50Well then? 50if we add this too, which can rightly be added, that nothing entices and draws anything to itself so strongly as likeness draws to friendship, it will surely be granted as true that the good love the good and attach them to themselves, as though joined by kinship and nature.
50For nothing is more eager for, or more greedy of, what is like itself than nature. 50Wherefore let this at least be established, Fannius and Scaevola, as I think: that between good men there is, as it were, a necessary goodwill, which is the fountain of friendship established by nature. 50But this same goodness extends also to the multitude. 50For virtue is not inhuman, nor unobliging, nor proud, since it is accustomed to protect even whole peoples and to take the best thought for them, which it would surely not do if it shrank from affection for the common people. 51And indeed those who invent friendships for the sake of advantage seem to me to remove the loveliest bond of friendship.
51For it is not so much the advantage gained through a friend that delights as the friend's love itself, and what comes from a friend becomes pleasant only when it has come with devotion. 51And so far is it from true that friendships are cultivated because of need, that those who, through wealth and resources and above all through virtue, in which there is the greatest protection, need another least, are the most generous and the most beneficent. 51And I am not sure that it is even desirable that friends should never lack anything at all. 51For where would my devotion have flourished, if Scipio had never needed my advice or my help, either at home or in the field?
51It is not, then, friendship that has followed advantage, but advantage that has followed friendship.