It is only after a long time, and after witnessing many breakups and much frustration, that one realizes the truth of the lesson: without the idem velle, idem nolle, friendship does not thrive. And it does not do so for the better, since, over time, without it, it will only get in the way. Before one realizes it, time has been lost, opportunities have been missed, energy has been wasted, and stagnation has set in. Hence, there is no failure more predictable, when time does not align with the old principle, and to notice this is to know that there are forces against which it is not worth fighting. It is undoubtedly better to follow the advice of one’s natural, spontaneous inclination, which, without having to spend a single word, points in the direction toward which the spirit should converge.