obtains what he aimed at, he receives the fruit of his labour. When
a man bestows a benefit, at what does he aim? clearly to be of
service and afford pleasure to him upon whom he bestows it. If he
does what he wishes, if his purpose reaches me and fills us each
with joy, he has gained his object. He does not wish anything to be
given to him in return, or else it becomes an exchange of
commodities, not a bestowal of benefits. A man steers well who
reaches the port for which he started: a dart hurled by a steady
hand performs its duty if it hits the mark; one who bestows a
benefit wishes it to be received with gratitude; he gets what he
wanted if it be well received. "But," you say, "he hoped for some
profit also." Then it was not a benefit, the property of which is
to think nothing of any repayment. I receive what was given me in
the same spirit in which it was given: then I have repaid it. If
this be not true, then this best of deeds has this worst of
conditions attached to it, that it depends entirely upon fortune
whether I am grateful or not, for if my fortune is adverse I can
make no repayment. The intention is enough. "What then? am I not to
do whatever I may be able to repay it, and ought I not ever to be
on the watch for an opportunity of filling the bosom [Footnote:
Sinus, the fold of the toga over the breast, used as a pocket by
the Romans. The great French actor Talma, when dressed for the
first time in correct classical costume, indignantly asked where he
was to put his snuff-box.] of him from whom I have received any
kindness? True; but a benefit is in an evil plight if we cannot be
grateful for it even when we are empty-handed.

XXXII. "A man," it is argued, "who has received a benefit, however
gratefully he may have received it, has not yet accomplished all
his duty, for there remains the part of repayment; just as in