To give counsel as well as to take it is a feature of true friendship.

The line defines genuine friendship as reciprocal moral engagement rather than mere affection or convenience. A true friend does not only offer advice (“give counsel”) but is also humble and secure enough to receive correction (“take it”). The symmetry matters: one-sided advising can become domination, while one-sided receiving can become dependency. Cicero’s ideal implies candor, goodwill, and a shared commitment to virtue—counsel is offered for the other’s benefit, and accepted because the relationship is grounded in trust. The quote also suggests that friendship is tested in moments requiring honest critique, where flattery is easier but less faithful.