Tully's three books of offices, in English with notes explaining the method and meaning of the author.

CHAP. XVIII.

Liberality to be varied according to the Variety of Circumstances. The Merits of the Receiver especi∣ally to be consider'd. What Acts of Bounty we should more particularly exercise. Measures to be observ'd in Receiving Money. 'Tis profitable sometimes to part with one's Right. When a Man uses an E∣state as he ought. Hospitality deservedly com∣mended.

IN that a 1.1 other sort of Giving, which proceeds from Liberality, we should not keep constantly to one certain Measure; but vary according to the Variety of Circumstances in the Persons that re∣ceive. His Case (for instance) who struggles at present under some pressing Necessity, is different from his, who is well enough to pass, and only de∣sires to improve his Fortune. We should lend our Assistance in the first place to those, who are under the Burden and Weight of some Misfortune; unless they are such as deserve to be miserable: We should be ready however to forward those likewise, who desire only our Helping-hand, not so much to save 'em from being Unfortunate, as to raise 'em to some higher Degrees of Fortune. b 1.2 But here we must

be careful to acquaint our selves thro'ly with the Fitness of the Persons: for that of Ennius is admira∣bly well said,

I take good Actions, when ill apply'd, to become ill ones.

Now that which is given to a truly honest and grateful Person, is paid us in the Acknowledg∣ment he himself makes, and in the Good-will that's got by't from the rest of the World. For nothing's more pleasing to all Mankind, than Bounty bestow'd without Rashness and Precipitancy: and the gene∣rality of Men praise it so much the more, because the Liberality of every great Man, is a common kind of Sanctuary for all that are Needy. We should endeavour therefore, as far as we are able, to oblige many Men by such Acts of Generosity, as may not be forgotten as soon as ever they are over; but be remember'd by the Children and Po∣sterity of the Receivers, in such manner as to lay a Necessity upon 'em of shewing their Gratitude: I say Necessity; for all People hate one, that takes no care of being grateful to his Benefactors, and count him that is such Injurious to themselves; because he discourages Bounty and Liberality, and so is a common Enemy to all the poorer Sort. Be∣sides, this way of Giving, whereby Captives are ransom'd, and the meaner Folk enrich'd, is useful and advantagious to the Publick it self; and has frequently been practic'd by those of our Order, as appears very fully from the Oration of Crassus. That other way therefore of expending Money, which consists in making Shews for the Entertain∣ment of the Vulgar, ought (I think) by no means to be compar'd with this: The one comports well with the Character of a great, and a prudent Person; the other of such as Cajole the People, and look out for

Pleasures to tickle the Fancies of the unstable Multitude. c 1.3 And as 'tis a Duty to be generous in Giving, so is it not to be too rigorous in Demand∣ing; but in every Transaction of Buying, Selling, Letting and Hiring, to behave our selves towards our Neighbours and Chapmen, with all the Fairness and Courtesie imaginable; to let go something of our strict and just Rights, upon certain Occasions; to avoid all Suits and Contentions at Law, as far as can reasonably and fairly be expected; perhaps I might add, And even something farther; for in seve∣ral Cases to deliver up one's Right, is not only generous, but d 1.4 advantagious too. However a Man should have a decent Regard to his Estate and For∣tune; for 'tis not over-reputable to let that be ruin'd by his Easiness and Neglect; and yet on the other hand should carry himself so, as to avoid all Su∣spition of a sordid, mean or avaritious Temper. For 'tis then a Man uses his Money as he ought to do, when he shews himself liberal, without ruin∣ing his Fortune. e 1.5 Theophrastus commends, and with very good Reason, another sort of Bounty, which we call Hospitality: For there's nothing, in my mind, more handsom and becoming, than con∣stantly to have the Houses of Noble Men open, and ready to entertain all Strangers of Fashion; and 'tis no small Credit and Reputation to the Publick,

that Strangers ne're fail to meet with that sort of Bounty, and Liberality in our City. Beside that there's nothing can be more useful for those, who design by honest Means to get an Interest in the World, than to recommend themselves to the E∣steem and Good-liking of foreign Nations, by the help of those People whom they thus entertain. Theophrastus tells us of f 1.6 Cimon the Athenian, that he shew'd his Hospitality even to all his Brethren of the g 1.7 Lacian Tribe; and not only made it his own constant Custom, but also commanded his Bayliffs the same, to keep open House for any one of the Laciadae, that should pass that way.

Notes

• a 1.1

  He has done with the first sort of Giving largely, viz. Prodigality; which he thinks generally blamable, but in some Cases excusable. He comes now to the Second, Libe∣rality, which is seen not only in Giving, but in Receiving too. He begins with Giving; concerning which his first Rule is, That we should consider the Circumstances of the Person we give to.
• b 1.2

  Secondly, In Giving we should consider the Person's Deserts: For Kindnesses bestow'd upon those, who don't deserve, but will make ill use of 'em, are indeed no Kindnesses. We should make honest Men the Objects of our Bounty in this kind.
• c 1.3

  Having given some Rules for the liberal Man's direction in Giving or Spending; he proceeds in this place to do the same about Receiving; in which he would have him not be too rigorous, but courteous, complying, &c.
• d 1.4

  'Tis no small part of Prudence, to know when to lose; it hapning sometimes, and upon some Occasions, that 'tis the best way to act against one's present Interest, and by omit∣ting a less Advantage, to gain a greater afterwards. Pecuni∣am in loco negligere, says Terence, maximum interdum est lu∣crum.
• e 1.5

  One particular sort of Bounty, which he thinks fit just to bring in here, is Hospitality. This he recommends as a thing handsom, and becoming in any City, and advantagious to get a Man Interest, and make him known among Strangers.
• f 1.6

  The Son of Miltiades, a famous Athenian General, who beat their Enemies both at Sea and Land the same Day: He was particularly fam'd for his Bounty and Hospitality. See his Life in Plut. and Corn. Nep.
• g 1.7

  There were one hundred seventy four distinct Tribes or Peoples in Attica, one of which was call'd the Lacian, and the Men who were of it, Laciadae. Cimon was one of these, and kept constantly open House for all those of his Tribe. See Meursius de Pop. Attic.