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But one ought at the first to ascertain from whom one is

receiving kindness, and on what understanding, that on that same

understanding one may accept it or not.

A question admitting of dispute is whether one is to measure a

kindness by the good done to the receiver of it, and make this

the standard by which to requite, or by the kind intention of the

doer?

For they who have received kindnesses frequently plead in

depreciation that they have received from their benefactors such

things as were small for them to give, or such as they themselves

could have got from others: while the doers of the kindnesses

affirm that they gave the best they had, and what could not have

been got from others, and under danger, or in such-like straits.