"Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends"

Cicero’s observation reveals an enduring truth about human relationships and the complexity of social bonds. People keep rigorous accounts of their tangible assets, such as sheep or goats, reflecting a natural inclination to count and track property or wealth. Material possessions are finite, concrete, and easily quantifiable; their value and presence are unquestionable, and ownership is clear.

Friendship, by contrast, is an abstract asset, boundless and nuanced. While most can readily enumerate livestock or money, they struggle to specify the number of true friends. The concept of friendship defies straightforward measurement because its essence lies not in a number, but in the depth, sincerity, and quality of the connection. Real friendship thrives on trust, understanding, mutual support, and affection, rather than mere association or acquaintance. Unlike cattle, friends do not bear brands or collars indicating they belong to someone. There is no visible register, no way to tally the loyalty, intimacy, or emotional investment intrinsic to friendship.

Cicero’s insight points to the disparity between quantifiable possessions and meaningful human connections. It suggests that counting friends is not just difficult, but perhaps inappropriate, each bond is unique, dynamic, and subject to change. Circumstances, time, and life’s vicissitudes alter relationships in ways that numbers cannot capture. One might presume to have many friends in moments of ease, yet only a few may stand the tests of hardship, loyalty, and honesty.

Ultimately, this distinction serves as a caution against conflating the superficial accumulation of connections with genuine companionship. People often pursue popularity or social circles as a sign of social wealth, yet true friendship resist such tallying. Cicero subtly urges a deeper reflection on the value and authenticity of our social ties, reminding us that the treasures of companionship are richer, rarer, and far less susceptible to arithmetic than our herds or holdings.