The friendships of the world are oft confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasure; ours has severest virtue for its basis, and such a friendship ends not but with life.

The friendships of the world are oft confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasures

The friendships of the world are oft Confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasure; Ours has severest virtue for its basis, And such a friendship ends not but with life.

Great souls by instinct to each other turn, Demand alliance, and in friendship burn.

Great souls by instinct to each other turn, demand alliance, and in friendship burn.

True happiness arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one's self, and in the next, from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions.