But then, proceeding in this way, shall we not arrive at some first PRINCIPLE OF FRIENDSHIP or dearness which is not capable of being referred to any other, for the sake of which, as we maintain, all other things are dear, and, having there arrived, we shall stop ? LYSIS
And the truly dear or ultimate PRINCIPLE OF FRIENDSHIP is not for the sake of any other or further dear. LYSIS
Then the final PRINCIPLE OF FRIENDSHIP, in which all other friendships terminated, those, I mean, which are relatively dear and for the sake of something else, is of another and a different nature from them. For they are called dear because of another dear or friend. But with the true friend or dear, the case is quite the reverse ; for that is proved to be dear because of the hated, and if the hated were away it would be no longer dear. LYSIS