"But my friends won't get help." What do you mean by help? They won't get money from you. You won't make them Roman citizens. Who told you these things are under your control instead of someone else's? And how can you give others what you don't even have yourself? "Well, go get these things so we can benefit too." If I can get them while keeping my honor, loyalty, and self-respect, show me how and I'll do it. But if you want me to lose what's truly good so you can gain something worthless, think about how unreasonable and foolish that is. Besides, what would you rather have — some money, or a faithful and honorable friend? Help me become that kind of person instead of asking me to do things that would destroy my character.
"But my friends will be unassisted." What do you mean by "unassisted"? They will not have money from you, nor will you make them Roman citizens. Who told you, then, that these are among the things within our own power, and not rather the affairs of others? And who can give to another the things which he himself has not? "Well, but get them, then, that we too may have a share." If I can get them with the preservation of my own honor and fidelity and self-respect, show me the way and I will get them; but if you require me to lose my own proper good, that you may gain what is no good, consider how unreasonable and foolish you are. Besides, which would you rather have, a sum of money or a faithful and honorable friend? Rather assist me, then, to gain this character than require me to do those things by which I may lose it.