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Now follows [the consideration] of favour, gratitude, and
ingratitude. As regards the first two, they are the
inclinations which the soul has to wish and to do some good to
one's neighbour. I say, to wish, [this happens] when good is
returned to one who has done some good; I say, to do, [this is
the case] when we ourselves have obtained or received some
good.
I am well aware that almost all people consider these affects to be good; but, notwithstanding this, I venture to say that they can have no place in a perfect man. For a perfect man is moved to help his fellow-man by sheer necessity only, and by no other cause, and therefore he feels it all the more to be his duty to help the most godless, seeing that his misery and need are so much greater. Ingratitude is a disregard *or shaking off* of Gratitude, as Shamelessness is of Shame, and that without any rational ground, but solely as the result either of greed or of immoderate self-love; and that is why it can have no place in a perfect man. |
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