remind men of what we have given them, we ought all the more to
choose presents that will be permanent; for the things themselves
will prevent the remembrance of the giver from fading away. I would
more willingly give a present of plate than of coined money, and
would more willingly give statues than clothes or other things
which are soon worn out. Few remain grateful after the present is
gone: many more remember their presents only while they make use of
them. If possible, I should like my present not to be consumed; let
it remain in existence, let it stick to my friend and share his
life. No one is so foolish as to need to be told not to send
gladiators or wild beasts to one who has just given a public show,
or not to send summer clothing in winter time, or winter clothing
in summer. Common sense must guide our benefits; we must consider
the time and the place, and the character of the receiver, which
are the weights in the scale, which cause our gifts to be well or
ill received. How far more acceptable a present is, if we give a
man what he has not, than if we give him what he has plenty of! if
we give him what he has long been searching for in vain, rather
than what he sees everywhere! Let us make presents of things which
are rare and scarce rather than costly, things which even a rich
man will be glad of, just as common fruits, such as we tire of
after a few days, please us if they have ripened before the usual
season. People will also esteem things which no one else has given
to them, or which we have given to no one else.

XIII. When the
conquest of the East had flattered Alexander of Macedon into
believing himself to be more than man, the people of Corinth sent
an embassy to congratulate him, and presented him with the
franchise of their city. When Alexander smiled at this form of