in the natural affection between children and their parents, an
affection which only shocking wickedness can sunder; and next,
when the passion of love has attained to a like strength-on our
finding, that is, some one person with whose character and nature
we are in full sympathy, because we think that we perceive in him
what I may call the beacon-light of virtue. For nothing inspires
love, nothing conciliates affection, like virtue. Why, in a certain
sense we may be said to feel affection even for men we have never
seen, owing to their honesty and virtue. Who, for instance, fails to
dwell on the memory of Gaius Fabricius and Manius Curius with
some affection and warmth of feeling, though he has never seen
them? Or who but loathes Tarquinius Superbus, Spurius Cassius,
Spurius Maelius? We have fought for empire in Italy with two
great generals, Pyrrhus and Hannibal. For the former, owing to his
probity, we entertain no great feelings of enmity: the latter, owing
to his cruelty, our country has detested and always will detest.

9. Now, if the attraction of probity is so great that we can love it
not only in those whom we have never seen, but, what is more,
actually in an enemy, we need not be surprised if men's affections
are roused when they fancy that they have seen virtue and
goodness in those with whom a close intimacy is possible. I do not
deny that affection is strengthened by the actual receipt of benefits,
as well as by the perception of a wish to render service, combined
with a closer intercourse. When these are added to the original
impulse of the heart, to which I have alluded, a quite surprising
warmth of feeling springs up. And if any one thinks that this
comes from a sense of weakness, that each may have some one to
help him to his particular need, all I can say is that, when he
maintains it to be born of want and poverty, he allows to friendship