“For how many things, which for our own sake we should never do, do we perform for the sake of our friends.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“For how many things, which for our own sake we should never do, do we perform for the sake of our friends.”
Explanation
This quote reveals the extraordinary power of friendship to shape and even override our personal boundaries and choices. Cicero points out that people are often willing to act in ways they would never consider for their own benefit—but will do so out of loyalty, love, or duty to a friend. It reflects the idea that friendship expands the moral self, drawing us into commitments that transcend self-interest and reflect deep emotional and ethical bonds.
In his work Laelius de Amicitia (On Friendship), Cicero explores the nature of true friendship, asserting that genuine friendship is based on virtue and mutual respect, not utility. This quote aligns with his view that true friends share in each other’s lives so completely that one’s actions are no longer motivated solely by personal gain, but by the good and well-being of the other. Such friendships encourage sacrifice, loyalty, and courage that might otherwise seem unreasonable in a purely self-centered life.
In modern life, this insight remains deeply resonant. Acts of generosity, compromise, or bravery are often motivated not by duty to oneself, but by devotion to a friend. Cicero’s words remind us of the transformative and motivating power of friendship, and how our deepest relationships can draw out the best, most selfless parts of our nature, leading us to do things we would never do for our own sake alone.
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