Apollo's oracle to be "most wise," and who used to
teach without the variation which is to be found in most philosophers
that "the souls of men are divine, and that when they have quitted the
body a return to heaven is open to them, least difficult to those who
have been most virtuous and just." This opinion was shared by Scipio.
Only a few days before his death--as though he had a presentiment
of what was coming--he discoursed for three days on the state of the
republic. The company consisted of Philus and Manlius and several
others, and I had brought you, Scaevola, along with me. The last part of
his discourse referred principally to the immortality of the soul; for
he told us what he had heard from the elder Africanus in a dream. Now if
it be true that in proportion to a man's goodness the escape from what
may be called the prison and bonds of the flesh is easiest, whom can
we imagine to have had an easier voyage to the gods than Scipio? I am
disposed to think, therefore, that in his case mourning would be a sign
of envy rather than of friendship. If, however, the truth rather is that
the body and soul perish together, and that no sensation remains, then
though there is nothing good in death, at least there is nothing bad.
Remove sensation, and a man is exactly as though he had never been born;
and yet that this man was born is a joy to me, and will be a subject of
rejoicing to this State to its last hour.

Wherefore, as I said before, all is as well as possible with him. Not so
with me; for as I entered life before him, it would have been fairer
for me to leave it also before him. Yet such is the pleasure I take
in recalling our friendship, that I look upon my life as having been a
happy one because I have spent it with Scipio. With him I was associated
in public and private business; with him I lived in Rome and served
abroad; and between us there was the most complete harmony in our
tastes, our pursuits, and our sentiments, which is the true secret of
friendship. It is not therefore in that reputation for wisdom mentioned
just now by Fannius--especially as it happens to be groundless--that
I find my happiness so much, as in the hope that the memory of our
friendship will be lasting. What makes me care the more about this is
the fact that in all history there are scarcely three or four pairs of
friends on record; and it is classed with them that I cherish a hope of
the friendship of Scipio and Laelius being known t