Kitap 4
14
One who gives to the wrong people,The ms. text gives to the wrong people, but cf. 1.12, l.25 ὀρθῶς. or not for the nobility of giving but from some other motive, will not be called liberal, but by some different title; nor will he who gives with pain, for he would prefer the money to the noble deed, which is not the mark of a liberal man.
15
Consequently the liberal man will not take money from a wrong source either, since one who holds wealth in low esteem is not the man to make improper gains.
16
Nor yet will he be fond of asking favors, for one who confers benefits does not readily accept them.
17
But he will acquire wealth from the proper source, that is, from his own possessions, not because he thinks it is a noble thing to do, but because it is a necessary condition of having the means to give. He will not be careless of his property, inasmuch as he wishes to employ it for the assistance of others. He will not give indiscriminately, in order that he may be able to give to the right persons and at the right time, and where it is noble to do so.
18
But the liberal man is certainly prone to go to excess in giving, so as to leave himself the smaller share; for it is a mark of a liberal nature to be regardless of self.
19
In crediting people with Liberality their resources must be taken into account; for the liberality of a gift does not depend on its amount, but on the disposition of the giver, and a liberal disposition gives according to its substance.Or (accepting Bywater’s emendation) and this is relative to his substance. It is therefore possible that the smaller giver may be the more liberal, if he give from smaller means.
