How to Be a Friend

An Ancient Guide to True Friendship

De: Marcus Tullius Cicero, Philip Freeman - introduction, Philip Freeman - translator

Narrado por: Shaun Grindell

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 teaches 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 people for more than 2,000 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.

©2018 Philip Freeman (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

How to be a friend

There’s wisdom in those stories from long ago .it is so important to have friends and keep them.

Am I a friend

True friendship indeed. This book asked me to look in the mirror and ask myself do I truly have a friend.

Fast with Ancient Wisdom

This is a fast listen with deep wisdom and a good performance. While some of the advice is obviously anachronistic, most of it is timeless wisdom which, whether you agree or not, will get you thinking.

Powerful Point of View

I absolutely loved this book. It affirmed many of my beliefs about friendships and enlightening others.

A True Friend Must Read

The aspects and characteristics of true friendship and how to be a true friend are clearly outlined in this exposé.

Shockingly relevant in 2020

I first read this almost 4 decades ago when I was in college. At that time I didn't have enough life experience to understand the lessons unlike today

What stood out for me was the notion that only good/virtuous people can be true friends. I had not considered this until today but I think it is spot on.

Enjoyed this enough that I am buying a copy for my adult daughter. A productive use of my time.

Good practicle advise

Very Old World names and dialogue send you back in time. The techniques are still true today though. Good read!

Eye Opening Read

Beautiful narration, a wonderful book to frequent when dealing with the troubles of life. It shifts focus to gratefulness and generosity within friendship and community.

Friendship defined in it's many varied forms.

This is a treatise on friendship. It mentions friendships that are less than adequate where the friend is using flattery to maintain the friendship akin to the relationship between a king and his subject. Withholding judgement at the beginning of a relationship until you are sure the person you are investing in is worthy of your friendship. The idea that morally upright friends are drawn to each other and that even the most cruel people still have friends and that these friends reflect ourselves. These are just some of the things laid out in this book defining friendship.

A timeless classic

It is easy to see why this short and practical guide to Friendship has survived the centuries. Good thoughts, good translation, good performance.