Lysis (/ˈlaɪsɪs/; Greek: Λύσις) is a dialogue of Plato which discusses the nature of friendship. It is generally classified as an early dialogue.
The main characters are Socrates, the boys Lysis and Menexenus who are friends, as well as Hippothales, who is in unrequited love with Lysis and therefore, after the initial conversation, hides himself behind the surrounding listeners. Socrates proposes four possible notions regarding the true nature of friendship:
Friendship between people who are similar, interpreted by Socrates as friendship between good men.
Friendship between men who are dissimilar.
Friendship between men who are neither good nor bad and good men.
Gradually emerging: friendship between those who are relatives (οἰκεῖοι "not kindred")
The main characters are Socrates, the boys Lysis and Menexenus who are friends, as well as Hippothales, who is in unrequited love with Lysis and therefore, after the initial conversation, hides himself behind the surrounding listeners. Socrates proposes four possible notions regarding the true nature of friendship:
Friendship between people who are similar, interpreted by Socrates as friendship between good men.
Friendship between men who are dissimilar.
Friendship between men who are neither good nor bad and good men.
Gradually emerging: friendship between those who are relatives (οἰκεῖοι "not kindred")