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Single Idea 24373

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / d. Friendship]

Full Idea

A cautious man who loves his own security will believe all men his friends, but liable at any time to become enemies.

Gist of Idea

Cautious men see everyone as a friend who could become an enemy

Source

Samuel Pufendorf (On the Duty of Man and Citizen [1673], II.01)

A Reaction

I'm looking at my friends in a different light after reading this one. This sounds like a strategy in game theory.

Book Reference

Pufendorf,Samuel: 'On the Duty of Man and Citizen' [CUP 1991], p.119