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Friendship, moreover, is thought to consist in feeling, rather

than being the object of, the sentiment of Friendship, which is

proved by the delight mothers have in the feeling: some there are

who give their children to be adopted and brought up by others,

and knowing them bear this feeling towards them never seeking to

have it returned, if both are not possible; but seeming to be

content with seeing them well off and bearing this feeling

themselves towards them, even though they, by reason of

ignorance, never render to them any filial regard or love.

Since then Friendship stands rather in the entertaining, than in

being the object of, the sentiment, and they are praised who are

fond of their friends, it seems that entertaining the sentiment

is the Excellence of friends; and so, in whomsoever this exists

in due proportion these are stable friends and their Friendship

is permanent. And in this way may they who are unequal best be

friends, because they may thus be made equal.