False complaints. Or The censure of an vnthankfull mind, the labour of Carolus Pascalius translated into English by W.C. A worke very learned and fit for all estates in this age of vnnecessarie discontentments, shewing how all complaine, but all without cause

Of the punishment of vnthanke∣full persons. CHAP 27 (Book 27)

THe greatest punishment of an vnthankfull person is in the fault it selfe. No infamy may bee com∣pared with that which springeth from this staine. Neither is there any punishment so cruel as to be called, and to bee accounted vnthankful; this, though it be true, yet Seneca saith that amongst the Macedo∣nians there lay an action of plea against vnthanke∣full persons: and other graue writers affirme that there haue beene Iudgements giuen against this kinde of men. Others prosecute this fault with the

most greeuous kinde of punishment: killing the vn∣thankefull person by nayling him through the necke to the earth with a stake. Surely Amianus Marcel∣lus reporteth, that the Persians had most seuere laws, amongst which the cruellest were against those who were vnthankefull, or had fayled their frendes.

Thus amongst the Hebrewes: sonnes that were vn∣thankefull to their parents were stoned to death: Phillip, King of Macedon branded with a marke that souldier that was vnthankefull; amongst the Atheni∣ans the bondman conuicted of his patron, was depri∣hed of the right of freedome. By the ciuill law, Do∣nations bestowed vpon vnthankefull persons, were reuersed. Sonnes for this fault were disinherited. hee that was at libertie, was called into the gouernment of his father: the vassall looseth his free farme: A∣mongst other nations (I know not whether more wisely) there was no lawe (at all) made against vn∣thankefull persons:

For seeing the valew of a benefitte can scarsely be esteemed, and of an vncertaine thing the valuation is vncertaine, it is thought sufficient to punish him that is vnthankefull with the hatred of men, and to referre him vnto God the seuere reuenger. Let this action cease saith Seneca, because a good turne must be done without hope of recompence, for it is the debt of honestie. Which if it be true (as it is) if any man be called into iudgement for a benefit receiued,

and not requited, it ceaseth to be a benefit, and the thing is made a debt. For all thankes of a benefitie as soone as there is mention of paying, vtterly pe∣risheth: for the reason is farre vnlike (saith Tully) betwixt a debt of mony, and a debt of thankes.