But equality in matters of friendship, is not quite the same as equality in matters of justice.

In matters of justice, equality proportioned to merit stands first--equality between man and man (no account being taken of comparative merit) stands only second.

In friendship, the case is the reverse; the perfection of friendship is equal love between the friends towards each other; to have greater love on one side, by reason of and proportioned to superior merit, is friendship only of the second grade.

This will be evident if we reflect that extreme inequality renders friendship impossible--as between private men and kings or gods.

Hence the friend can scarcely wish for his friend the maximum of good, to become a god; such extreme elevation would terminate the friendship.