Tractatus duo

sweetness and longing: and the further apart they are, the more and more ardently they seek each other, just as if one soul were missing a part of itself. Finally, the closer they are, the more that flame of mutual affection blazes up, and it becomes sweeter and more pleasant day by day through daily conversation. This does not usually happen among other men, among whom that assiduous and frequent conversation and familiarity breeds and sows either hatred or contempt. But it binds and draws friends more strictly and closely to one another. For nature itself, thus conciliating and impelling them, makes them hold almost the same judgments about the same things, and in all matters, as much as they can, they act equally and strive among themselves as to which one will surpass the other in doing good. Added to this, moreover, is the will and the tenacious purpose of the mind, which not only preserves that propensity for consensus but increases it most of all. Therefore, friends do not disagree, do not quarrel, do not contend perversely among themselves, but one yields to the other, one anticipates the other in honor, and one easily allows himself to be turned from his own opinion by the other, and concedes as much as is allowed while the honor of God remains safe and intact.

Finally, the third effect of true Friendship is the mutual protection and preservation of each friend and his own people, according to one's strength, and the procurement of their salvation and comfort. But if, because of society and that charity which ought to exist among all the pious, we consider everyone who is connected by nature to be our own, and strive to protect them, how much more will a friend preserve a friend as his own, who has even promised to do so, and indeed with an oath?