The older the sweeter, as in wines that keep well.
Genuine
Yes. In On Friendship (44 BC), Chapter XIX, section 67 (Laelius de Amicitia 19.67), said by Gaius Laelius. These are the character’s words, not a statement in Cicero’s own voice.
Found word for word by program in the Latin original and in E. S. Shuckburgh’s English translation.
- Work
- On Friendship (Laelius de Amicitia), 44 BC
- Where
- Chapter XIX, section 67 (Laelius de Amicitia 19.67)
- Found at
- Paragraph 82 of the Latin text, 58 of the English
- Translation
- E. S. Shuckburgh
Researched by AI; checked by program against the full text on 31 October 2026. Editorial review: pending. How we check
On the page
[…] A gloomy temper and unvarying gravity may be very impressive; but friendship should be a little less unbending, more indulgent and gracious, and more inclined to all kinds of good-fellowship and good-nature.
[…] Tristitia autem et in omni re severitas habet illa quidem gravitatem, sed amicitia remissior esse debet et liberior et dulcior et ad omnem comitatem facilitatemque proclivior.
19. But here arises a question of some little difficulty. Are there any occasions on which, assuming their worthiness, we should prefer new to old friends, just as we prefer young to aged horses? The answer admits of no doubt whatever. For there should be no satiety in friendship, as there is in other things. The older the sweeter, as in wines that keep well.1 And the proverb is a true one, “You must eat many a peck of salt with a man to be thorough friends with him.” Novelty, indeed, has its advantage, which we must not despise. There is always hope of fruit, as there is in healthy blades of corn. […]
[67] Exsistit autem hoc loco quaedam quaestio subdifficilis, num quando amici novi, digni amicitia, veteribus sint anteponendi, ut equis vetulis teneros anteponere solemus. Indigna homine dubitatio! Non enim debent esse amicitiarum sicut aliarum rerum satietates; veterrima quaeque, ut ea vina, quae vetustatem ferunt, esse debet suavissima; verumque illud est, quod dicitur, multos modios salis simul edendos esse, ut amicitiae munus expletum sit.
20. But the converse must also be observed. […]
[68] Novitates autem si spem adferunt, ut tamquam in herbis non fallacibus fructus appareat, non sunt illae quidem repudiandae, vetustas tamen suo loco conservanda; maxima est enim vis vetustatis et consuetudinis. […]
Another good rule in friendship is this: do not let an excessive affection hinder the highest interests of your friends. This very often happens. I will go again to the region of fable for an instance. […]
[69] Sed maximum est in amicitia parem esse inferiori. Saepe enim excellentiae quaedam sunt, qualis erat Scipionis in nostro, ut ita dicam, grege. […]
The scene
Laelius asks whether worthy new friends should ever take precedence over old friends, as young horses are preferred to aged ones. He rejects that comparison and likens lasting friendships to wines that improve with keeping. He immediately adds that promising new friendships should not be rejected, while established ones retain their place. The English is E. S. Shuckburgh’s translation.
What it means
A good friendship should grow sweeter through long familiarity, rather than become disposable because it is old.
Often misread
Not a blanket instruction to reject new friends or to preserve any relationship regardless of character. Laelius explicitly allows worthy new friendships; the wine comparison concerns friendships that endure well.
Topics
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Sources
Cite it
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On Friendship (44 BC), Chapter XIX, section 67 (Laelius de Amicitia 19.67), translated by E. S. Shuckburgh. Spoken by Gaius Laelius. Checked at Quotogeny, https://quotogeny.com/q/old-friends-like-old-wine/ (31 October 2026).
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Checked by people
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