1. Friendship is above reason, for, though you find virtues in a friend, he was our friend before you found them. 2. It is a gift that we offer because we must; o give it as the reward of virtue would be to set a price upon it, and those who lo that have no friendship to give. 3. If you choose your friends on the ground hat you are virtuous and want virtuous company, you are no nearer to true riendship than if you choose them for commercial reasons. 4. Besides, who are ‘ou that you should be setting a price upon your friendship? 5. It is enough for iny man that he has the divine power of making friends, and he must leave it to hat power to determine who his friends shall be. 6. For, though you may choose he virtuous to be your friends, they may not choose you; indeed, friendship annot grow where there is any calculated choice. 7. It comes, like sleep, when you are not thinking about it; and you should be grateful, without any misgiving, vhen it comes.