." If you ask me, I applaud Antigonus; for it is not to
be endured that a man who despises money should ask for it. Your cynic
has publicly proclaimed his hatred of money, and assumed the character
of one who despises it: let him act up to his professions. It is most
inconsistent for him to earn money by glorifying his poverty. I wish
to use Chrysippus's simile of the game of ball, in which the ball must
certainly fall by the fault either of the thrower or of the catcher; it
only holds its course when it passes between the hands of two persons
who each throw it and catch it suitably. It is necessary, however, for a
good player to send the ball in one way to a comrade at a long distance,
and in another to one at a short distance. So it is with a benefit:
unless it be suitable both for the giver and the receiver, it will
neither leave the one nor reach the other as it ought. If we have to
do with a practised and skilled player, we shall throw the ball more
recklessly, for however it may come, that quick and agile hand will send
it back again; if we are playing with an unskilled novice, we shall not
throw it so hard, but far more gently, guiding it straight into his very
hands, and we shall run to meet it when it returns to us. This is just
what we ought to do in conferring benefits; let us teach some men how to
do so, and be satisfied if they attempt it, if they have the courage and
the will to do so. For the most part, however, we make men ungrateful,
and encourage them, to be so, as if our benefits were only great when
we cannot receive any gratitude for them; just as some spiteful
ball-players purposely put out their companion, of course to the ruin of
the game, which cannot be carried on without entire agreement Many men
are of so depraved a nature that they had rather lose the presents which
they make than be thought to have received a return for them, because
they are proud, and like to lay people under obligations: yet how much
better and more kindly would it be if they tried to enable the others
also to perform their parts, if they encouraged them in returning
gratitude, put the best construction upon all their acts, received one
who wished to thank them just as cordially as if he came to repay what
he had received, and easily lent themselves to the belief that those
whom they have laid under an obligation wish to repay it. We blame
usurers equally when they press harshly for payment, and when they delay
and make di