“What sweetness is left in life, if you take away friendship? Robbing life of friendship is like robbing the world of the sun. A true friend is more to be esteemed than kinsfolk.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
table of contents
Quote
“What sweetness is left in life, if you take away friendship? Robbing life of friendship is like robbing the world of the sun. A true friend is more to be esteemed than kinsfolk.”
Explanation
This quote celebrates friendship as one of the highest sources of joy, meaning, and emotional sustenance in life. Cicero compares it to the sun, without which life would be cold, dark, and barren. The metaphor underscores that friendship illuminates and enriches existence, offering comfort, loyalty, and shared purpose. By declaring that a true friend is more valuable than even family, Cicero emphasizes that genuine friendship is based on voluntary affection and moral affinity, not just blood ties.
Cicero explored these themes in his treatise Laelius de Amicitia (On Friendship), where he defined friendship as a union of souls grounded in virtue and mutual respect. For him, true friendship could only exist among the morally good, and it served as a mirror of the highest ethical ideals. In the Roman world—marked by shifting political alliances and personal ambition—Cicero’s praise of enduring, principled friendship stood out as a vision of moral stability and personal integrity.
In the modern world, where relationships are often transactional or fragile, Cicero’s message remains deeply resonant. Friendship founded on trust, empathy, and shared values offers a rare form of emotional and spiritual refuge. His words remind us that while fame, wealth, or even family roles may fluctuate, true friends—freely chosen and deeply known—are the lasting sunbeams of life.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
