Reading Plutarch’s Moralia has inspired both cautious curiosity and deliberate dismissal; the one because I am amused to know the thinking of the ancients, the other because it is hopelessly patrician and disingenuous. The precepts regarding education, borrowing of money, restraining anger and contentedness of mind are inarguable.  I wasn’t however prepared for the essay regarding friends and enemies. In short, he embraced the singular theme that the two are united. His summary conclusion is this:

“For fire burns whoever touches it, but it also gives light and warmth, and is an instrument of art to all those who know how to use it.”

Excerpt From
Plutarch’s Morals
Plutarch

On the one hand the model is purely strategic; on the other, it is insightful because it recognizes the truth of any friendship – that is, differences. And he offers a digestible manner by which to profit from both elements.

“§ i. I am well aware, Cornelius Pulcher, that you prefer the mildest manners in public life, by which you can be at once most useful to the community, and most agreeable in private life to those who have any dealings with you. But since it is difficult to find any region without wild beasts, though it is related of Crete; and hitherto there has been no state that has not suffered from envy, rivalry, and strife, the most fruitful seeds of hostility; for, even if nothing else does, our friendships involve us in enmities, as Chilo the wise man perceived, who asked the man who told him he had no enemy, whether he had a friend either.” Idem

Not uncommonly people remark remorsefully upon the dissolution of a friendship. I am satisfied that, if it were not so, the strength of the friendship would be in doubt.  This does not however always assure the survival of the friendship.  One must take the next step; namely, surpass the boundaries of friendship to understand the sphere of antipathy “reaping fruit from the deep soil of the soul, where good counsels grow” Idem. The benefit of this uniqueness is not as easily inspired as one might think.

“For nothing is more disgraceful or more unpleasant than slander that recoils on the person who sets it in motion; for as the reflection of light seems most to injure weak eyes, so does censure when it recoils on the censurer, and is borne out by the facts. For as the north-east wind attracts clouds, so does a bad life draw upon itself rebukes.” Idem

It is no alarm to perceive the biblical dictum, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Plutarch turns the admonition into more blunt meaning, “You twit me with an infirmity natural to man, while you yourself carry your Nemesis on your back.” It is a variation of stinging adage, “We see in others what we see in ourselves.” The observation is so simple yet so readily ignored, as though decline were peculiar only to others. He who distorts the adage inflicts upon himself incalculable and often inescapable opposition. Plutarch’s reasoning does not elevate friction, rather encourages goodwill. Pointedly he entirely evades and avoids the detail of the rancour. The argument becomes spiritual when Plutarch symbolizes the attack of a putative enemy upon one’s tumour but a thankful relief from the disease.

“…and he was rid of the tumour by its bursting, so oftentimes abuse, suddenly thrust on a man in anger or hatred, has cured some disease in his soul which he was ignorant of or neglected. ” Idem

Faced with these unanticipated perspectives, the issue of friendship and disagreement changes entirely. I am especially drawn to this novel slant because friendship has throughout my life been of primary importance. The subject, though universal, manages to escape scrutiny of the blemish which had escaped our notice “and if it be wholly untrue, yet we ought to investigate what originated the charge, and to be on guard and be afraid lest we had unawares done something very near akin to what was imputed ” Idem. Or as Plato said, “the lover is blind as respects the loved one, and hatred is both curious and talkative”. More pragmatically, “We will not exchange our virtue for others’ wealth.” Idem