Nobody ever chooses the already unfortunate as objects of his loyal friendship.

In this quote, Lucan reflects on human nature and the dynamics of friendship. He suggests that people tend to seek out individuals who are not already suffering or facing misfortune as their close friends. The idea here is that, often, loyalty in friendship is directed toward those who are in a position of strength, success, or relative fortune, rather than those who are struggling or already facing adversity.

Lucan’s words highlight a certain self-interest in human relationships. He proposes that most people are hesitant to offer their loyalty and support to those who are already in a difficult position because it requires extra emotional investment or might expose them to the same hardships. This idea speaks to the difficulty of truly selfless friendship, where individuals may be inclined to avoid others' suffering rather than offer genuine solidarity.

The origin of the quote can be traced to Lucan, a Roman poet, who wrote about the harsh realities of life and human relationships during times of turmoil. Known for his work Pharsalia, a poem that depicts the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey, Lucan often explored themes of human behavior and the challenges faced during times of conflict. This quote, therefore, reflects his understanding of human nature, suggesting that loyalty in friendships is often more conditional than unconditional, particularly when hardship is involved.