Page 232
The Sentences follow which may be referred to the second part of the Treatise: and first to the first Chap.
Iniquissimum est, pecuniam sub gloria egestatis, acquirere. It is a most vnequall thing that anie man should go about to get money, glorying in his pouertie. Or bearing this mind, as though it were a credit to him to be a poore man. Sen. de Benef. lib. 2. cap. 17.
And well may the Philosopher say so, because pouertie is a publike conuiction or open badge and cognisance as it were of our sinne.
Moreouer in the same chapter. There are manie (saith Seneca) of such a crooked nature, that they had rather lose whatsoeuer kindnesse they haue shewed, then they would seeme to receiue any thing, they being proud and vpbray∣ding men. Multi sunt tam prauae naturae, vt malint perdere quae praestiterunt quàm videri recepisse, superbi & imputatores. Quanto melius quanto{que} humanius id agere, vt illis quoque suae partes constent, &c. & gratias agentem, non aliter quàm si refe∣rat audire, praebere se facilem ad hoc, vt quem obligauit, etiam exolui velit. How much better, and how much more cur∣teous is it, to take such a course, that they that receiue may haue their time to giue, &c. Yea, and for one to heare ano∣ther giuing thanks, euen as if he did make a full recōpence; and herein to shew himselfe ready to release him, whom he hath bound as it were by an obligation.
And yet againe in the same chapter: Beneficium tam re∣cipiendum est quàm non exigendum. A benefite is in like pro∣portion to be receiued as it is not to be exacted.
Non minus regium & humanum est, exigua beneuolè & placi∣dè accipere, quàm magna dare. It is no lesse princely and cur∣teous to accept small things readily and with gentle good will, then to giue things of great value. Plutarchus.