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and
therefore concerned in the family's affairs; also it is thought to be specially incumbent
on relations to attend funerals, for the same reason. 2.
[8]
It would be felt that our parents have the first
claim on us for maintenance, since we owe it to them as a debt, and to support the authors
of our being stands before self-preservation in moral nobility. Honor also is due to
parents, as it is to the gods, though not indiscriminate honor: one does not owe to one's
father the same honor as to one's mother, nor yet the honor due to a great philosopher or
general, but one owes to one's father the honor appropriate to a father, and to one's
mother that appropriate to her. 2.
[9]
Again, we should pay to all our seniors the honor due to their age, by
rising when they enter, offering them a seat, and so on. Towards comrades and brothers on
the other hand we should use frankness of speech, and share all our possessions with them.
Kinsmen also, fellow-tribesmen, fellow-citizens, and the rest—to all we must
always endeavor to render their due, comparing their several claims in respect of
relationship and of virtue or utility. 2.
[10]
Between persons of the same kind discrimination is comparatively easy;
but it is a harder matter when they are differently related to us. Nevertheless we must
not shirk the task on that account, but must decide their claims as well as we are able.
3.
Another question is, whether a friendship should
Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 19, translated by H. Rackham. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1934.
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