How to Be a Friend: An Ancient Guide to True Friendship(Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers)

In a world where social media, online relationships, and relentless self-absorption threaten the very idea of deep and lasting friendships, the search for true friends is more important than ever. In this short book, which is one of the greatest ever written on the subject, the famous Roman politician and philosopher Cicero offers a compelling guide to finding, keeping, and appreciating friends. With wit and wisdom, Cicero shows us not only how to build friendships but also why they must be a key part of our lives. For, as Cicero says, life without friends is not worth living. Filled with timeless advice and insights, Cicero's heartfelt and moving classic--written in 44 BC and originally titled De Amicitia--has inspired readers for more than two thousand years, from St. Augustine and Dante to Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Presented here in a lively new translation and an inviting introduction, How to Be a Friend explores how to choose the right friends, how to avoid the pitfalls of friendship, and how to live with friends in good times and bad. Cicero also praises what he sees as the deepest kind of friendship--one in which two people find in each other another self or a kindred soul.

About the Author :
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC), commonly known as Cicero, was a Roman statesman, philosopher, orator, and lawyer. Born into an aristocratic family, he studied law and served a term as consul in 63 BC. As a member of the Senate, he witnessed the rise to prominence of Julius Caesar, whose followers forced him into exile and out of politics. Following the assassination of Caesar in 44 BC, to which he was a witness, he argued in front of the Senate for the restoration of the republic, but was unsuccessful. In 43 BC, he was murdered on the orders of Mark Antony. Cicero's works include philosophic writings, speeches made as a lawyer and a senator, and letters. His best-known writings include On the Orator, On the Republic, Hortensius, On the Nature of the Gods, On Duties, and Treatises on Friendship and Old Age. Philip Freeman received his PhD in classics and Celtic studies at Harvard University and holds the Qualley Chair of Classical Languages at Luther College. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including St. Patrick of Ireland, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, and Oh My Gods: A Modern Retelling of Greek and Roman Myths. He lives in Decorah, Iowa. Philip Freeman received his PhD in classics and Celtic studies at Harvard University and holds the Qualley Chair of Classical Languages at Luther College. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including St. Patrick of Ireland, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, and Oh My Gods: A Modern Retelling of Greek and Roman Myths. He lives in Decorah, Iowa. Philip Freeman received his PhD in classics and Celtic studies at Harvard University and holds the Qualley Chair of Classical Languages at Luther College. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including St. Patrick of Ireland, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, and Oh My Gods: A Modern Retelling of Greek and Roman Myths. He lives in Decorah, Iowa. Shaun Grindell, an Earphones Award-winning narrator, is an English-born actor who has been seen on stage in London and Las Vegas.

Review :
"Cicero's indispensable dialogue, presented here in a lively new translation, is one of the most important treatments of friendship in the ancient world." -- "Alexander Nehamas, author of On Friendship" "This splendid new translation puts Cicero's dialogue on friendship―one of the great works of literature―into fluent, contemporary English. In an era of hollow social media 'friendships, ' these mature thoughts on how to separate friends from flatterers are timely and welcome." -- "Michael Fontaine, Cornell University"