Book 7
11
or if not that, at all events he claims a numerically equal share (for in fact it happens in this way in other associations too—sometimes the shares are numerically equal, sometimes proportionally: if the parties contributed a numerically equal sum of money, they also take a share equal by numerical equality, if an unequal sum, a share proportionally equal). The inferior party on the contrary inverts the proportion, and makes a diagonal conjunctionThe inferior party p claims to draw a larger share of benefit B and to leave the smaller share b to the superior party P, the result of which would be p+B and P+b. The superior party P also invokes the principle of inverse proportion (line 7), but applies it to their contributions to the common cause, not to the benefits drawn from it: he claims to make a smaller contribution c, while the inferior party makes a larger one C, the result of which would be P-c and p-C. The proposed conjunctions are in fact both of them diagonal, connecting the larger person with the smaller thing and vice versa.;
12
but it would seem that in this way the superior comes off worse, and the friendship or partnership is a charitable service.Perhaps the Greek should be altered to give friendship is a charity and not a partnership. Therefore equality must be restored and proportion secured by some other means;
13
and this means is honor,which belongs by nature to a ruler and god in relation to a subject. But the profiti.e. the advantage in the shape of protection, guidance, etc., that the inferior party derives from the friendship. must be made equal to the honor.
