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For this reason it may be judged never to be allowable for a son

to disown his father, whereas a father may his son: because he

that owes is bound to pay; now a son can never, by anything he

has done, fully requite the benefits first conferred on him by

his father, and so is always a debtor. But they to whom anything

is owed may cast off their debtors: therefore the father may his

son. But at the same time it must perhaps be admitted, that it

seems no father ever would sever himself utterly from a son,

except in a case of exceeding depravity: because, independently

of the natural Friendship, it is like human nature not to put

away from one's self the assistance which a son might render. But

to the son, if depraved, assisting his father is a thing to be

avoided, or at least one which he will not be very anxious to do;

most men being willing enough to receive kindness, but averse to

doing it as unprofitable.

Let thus much suffice on these points.

BOOK IX

Chapter I.