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votive offerings, public buildings,
sacrifices—and the offices of religion generally; and those public benefactions
which are favorite objects of ambition, for instance the duty, as it is esteemed in
certain states, of equipping a chorus splendidly or fitting out a ship of war, or even of
giving a banquet to the public. 2.
[12]
But in all these matters, as has been said, the scale of expenditure
must be judged with reference to the person spending, that is, to his position and his
resources; for expenditure should be proportionate to means, and suitable not only to the
occasion but to the giver. 2.
[13]
Hence a poor man cannot be magnificent, since he has not the means to
make a great outlay suitably; the poor man who attempts Magnificence is foolish, for he
spends out of proportion to his means, and beyond what he ought, whereas an act displays
virtue only when it is done in the right way. 2.
[14]
But great public benefactions are suitable for those who have
adequate resources derived from their own exertions or from their ancestors or
connections, and for the high-born and famous and the like, since birth, fame and so on
all have an element of greatness and distinction. 2.
[15]
The magnificent man therefore is especially of this
sort, and Magnificence mostly finds an outlet in these public benefactions, as we have
said, since these are the greatest forms of expenditure and the ones most honored. But
Magnificence is also shown on those private occasions for expenditure which only happen
once,