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That which may be termed the Moral kind is not upon specified

conditions, but a man gives as to his friend and so on: but still

he expects to receive an equivalent, or even more, as though he

had not given but lent: he also will find fault, because he does

not get the obligation discharged in the same way as it was

contracted.

Now this results from the fact, that all men, or the generality

at least, wish what is honourable, but, when tested, choose what

is profitable; and the doing kindnesses disinterestedly is

honourable while receiving benefits is profitable. In such cases

one should, if able, make a return proportionate to the good

received, and do so willingly, because one ought not to make a

disinterested friend[9] of a man against his inclination: one

should act, I say, as having made a mistake originally in

receiving kindness from one from whom one ought not to have

received it, he being not a friend nor doing the act

disinterestedly; one should therefore discharge one's self of the

obligation as having received a kindness on specified terms: and

if able a man would engage to repay the kindness, while if he

were unable even the doer of it would not expect it of him: so

that if he is able he ought to repay it.