EPISODE · May 14, 2024 · 12 MIN
Plutarch, On Having Many Friends - Trying And Testing Friends - Sadler's Lectures
from Sadler's Lectures · host Lectures on classic and contemporary philosophical texts and thinkers by Gregory B. Sadler
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient philosopher and biographer Plutarch's short work On Having Many Friends. This episode focuses specifically on his advice that, if we want to have good friendships, we need to try and test people before becoming fully friends with them. This echoes advice given earlier by authors like Cicero, Aristotle, and Seneca. Unfortunately, Plutarch says, many people make friends first, and then come to regret their commitment to people whose characters are not particularly good. You can find the copy of the text I am using for this sequence on Plutarch's On Having Many Friends here - https://amzn.to/48LBGZ2 To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3000 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler (Amazon links are associate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
What this episode covers
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient philosopher and biographer Plutarch's short work On Having Many Friends. This episode focuses specifically on his advice that, if we want to have good friendships, we need to try and test people before becoming fully friends with them. This echoes advice given earlier by authors like Cicero, Aristotle, and Seneca. Unfortunately, Plutarch says, many people make friends first, and then come to regret their commitment to people whose characters are not particularly good. You can find the copy of the text I am using for this sequence on Plutarch's On Having Many Friends here - https://amzn.to/48LBGZ2 To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3000 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler (Amazon links are associate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
NOW PLAYING
Plutarch, On Having Many Friends - Trying And Testing Friends - Sadler's Lectures
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
May 31, 2026 ·25m
May 31, 2026 ·30m
May 31, 2026 ·57m
May 31, 2026 ·32m
May 31, 2026 ·29m
May 31, 2026 ·37m