(70:2) But the free man only desires to join other men to him in
friendship ([xxxvii] ), not repaying their benefits with others
reckoned as of like value, but guiding himself and others by the free
decision of reason, and doing only such things as he knows to be of
primary importance. (70:3) Therefore the free man, lest be should become
hateful to the ignorant, or follow their desires rather than reason,
will endeavour, as far as he can, to avoid receiving their favours.
Note.- (70:4) I say, as far as he can. (5) For though men be ignorant,
yet are they men, and in cases of necessity could afford us human aid,
the most excellent of all things: therefore it is often necessary to
accept favours from them, and consequently to repay such favours in kind;
we must, therefore, exercise caution in declining favours, lest we should
have the appearance of despising those who bestow them, or of being,
from avaricious motives, unwilling to requite them, and so give ground
for offence by the very fact of striving to avoid it. (70:6) Thus, in
declining favours, we must look to the requirements of utility and courtesy.
Prop. [LXXI] Only free men are thoroughly grateful one to another.
Proof.- (71:1) Only free men are thoroughly useful one to another,
and associated among themselves by the closest necessity of friendship
([xxxv] & Coroll. i.), only such men endeavour, with mutual zeal of
love, to confer benefits on each other ([xxxvii] ), and, therefore,
only they are thoroughly grateful one to another.
Pages:
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313