Kitap 7
26
Hence it is clear how these cases must be decided. If they are moral friends, we must consider if their intentions are equal, and nothing else must be claimed by either from the other; and if they are friends on the ground of utility or civic friends, we must consider what form of agreement would have been profitable for them.Or, altering the Greek, they agree for as long as it profits them. But if one says they are friends on one footing and the other on another, it is not honorable, when an active return is due, merely to make fine speeches, and similarly also in the other casei.e. in a moral friendship it is not honorable to insist on a return on a business footing.;—
27
but since they did not provide for this in the contract, on the ground that it was a moral friendship, somebody must judge, and neither party must cheat by pretending; so that each must be content with his luck.
28
But it is clear that moral friendship is a matter of intention, since even if a man after having received great benefits owing to inability did not repay them, but only repaid as much as he was able, he acts honorably; for even God is content with getting sacrifices in accordance with our ability.
29
But a seller will not be satisfied if a man says he cannot pay more, nor will one who has made a loan.
30
In friendships not based on direct reciprocityDissimilar friendships, where action and reaction are not in the same straight line (Solomon). many causes of recrimination occur, and it is not easy to see what is just; for it is difficult to measure by one given thing relations that are not directly reciprocal.
