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[52] 15. Now that I have set forth the moral duties of1 a young man, in so far as they may be exerted for the attainment of glory, I must next in order discuss kindness and generosity. The manner of showing it is twofold: kindness is shown to the needy either by personal service, or by gifts of money. The latter way is the easier, especially for a rich man; but the former is nobler and more dignified and more becoming to a strong and eminent man. For, although both ways alike betray a generous wish to oblige, still in the one case the favour makes a draft upon one's bank account, in the other upon one's personal energy; and the bounty which is drawn from one's material substance tends to exhaust the very fountain of liberality. Liberality is thus forestalled by liberality: for the more people one has helped with gifts of money, the fewer one can help.

1 Generosity of two kinds:

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hide References (3 total)
  • Cross-references in indexes to this page (3):
    • M. Tullius Cicero, De Officiis: index, Duty
    • M. Tullius Cicero, De Officiis: index, Generosity
    • M. Tullius Cicero, De Officiis: index, Youth
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