第524页 / 共734页

For, in general, those who have and those who wish to get things

do not set the same value on them: what is their own, and what

they give in each case, appears to them worth a great deal: but

yet the return is made according to the estimate of those who

have received first, it should perhaps be added that the receiver

should estimate what he has received, not by the value he sets

upon it now that he has it, but by that which he set upon it

before he obtained it.

Chapter II.

Questions also arise upon such points as the following: Whether

one's father has an unlimited claim on one's services and

obedience, or whether the sick man is to obey his physician? or,

in an election of a general, the warlike qualities of the

candidates should be alone regarded?

In like manner whether one should do a service rather to one's

friend or to a good man? whether one should rather requite a

benefactor or give to one's companion, supposing that both are

not within one's power?