Pagina 534 de 734

May we not say it is impossible? The case of course is clearest

where there is a great difference, as in the Friendships of boys:

for suppose that of two boyish friends the one still continues a

boy in mind and the other becomes a man of the highest character,

how can they be friends? since they neither are pleased with the

same objects nor like and dislike the same things: for these

points will not belong to them as regards one another, and

without them it was assumed they cannot be friends because they

cannot live in intimacy: and of the case of those who cannot do

so we have spoken before.

Well then, is the improved party to bear himself towards his

former friend in no way differently to what he would have done

had the connection never existed?