صفحة 231 من 734

Now it is quite clear of course, that the states I have named are

blameable, and that the mean between them is praiseworthy, in

virtue of which a man will let pass what he ought as he ought,

and also will object in like manner.

However, this state has no name appropriated, but it is most like

Friendship; since the man who exhibits it is just the kind of man

whom we would call the amiable friend, with the addition of

strong earnest affection; but then this is the very point in

which it differs from Friendship, that it is quite independent of

any feeling or strong affection for those among whom the man

mixes: I mean, that he takes everything as he ought, not from any

feeling of love or hatred, but simply because his natural

disposition leads him to do so; he will do it alike to those whom

he does know and those whom he does not, and those with whom he

is intimate and those with whom he is not; only in each case as

propriety requires, because it is not fitting to care alike for

intimates and strangers, nor again to pain them alike.