you call anything a benefit, if
you feel ashamed to mention the person who gave it you? How far more
grateful is a benefit, how far more deeply does it impress itself upon
the mind, never to be forgotten, when we rejoice to think not so much of
what it is, as from whom we have received it! Crispus Passienus was wont
to say that some men's advice was to be preferred to their presents,
some men's presents to their advice; and he added as an example, "I
would rather have received advice from Augustus than a present; I would
rather receive a present from Claudius than advice." I, however, think
that one ought not to wish for a benefit from any man whose judgement
is worthless. What then? Ought we not to receive what Claudius gives? We
ought; but we ought to regard it as obtained from fortune, which may at
any moment turn against us. Why do we separate this which naturally is
connected? That is not a benefit, to which the best part of a benefit,
that it be bestowed with judgment, is wanting: a really great sum of
money, if it be given neither with discernment nor with good will, is
no more a benefit than if it remained hoarded. There are, however,
many things which we ought not to reject, yet for which we cannot feel
indebted.

BOOK II.

I.

Let us consider, most excellent Liberalis, what still remains of the
earlier part of the subject; in what way a benefit should be bestowed. I
think that I can point out the shortest way to this; let us give in the
way in which we ourselves should like to receive. Above all we should
give willingly, quickly, and without any hesitation; a benefit commands
no gratitude if it has hung for a long time in the hands of the giver,
if he seems unwilling to part with it, and gives it as though he were
being robbed of it. Even though some delay should intervene, let us
by all means in our power strive not to seem to have been in two minds
about giving it at all. To hesitate is the next thing to refusing to
give, and destroys all claim to gratitude. For just as the sweetest part
of a benefit is the kindly feeling of the giver, it follows that one who
has by his very delay proved that he gives unwillingly, must be regarded
not as having given anything, but as having been unable to keep it from
an importunate suitor. Indeed, many men are made generous by want of
firmness. The most acceptable benefits are those which are waiting for
us to take them, which are easy to be received, and offer t