Pagina 194 de 734

There are some people whose motive, either supposed or alleged,

for keeping their property is this, that they may never be driven

to do anything dishonourable: to this class belongs the

skinflint, and every one of similar character, so named from the

excess of not-giving. Others again decline to receive their

neighbour's goods from a motive of fear; their notion being that

it is not easy to take other people's things yourself without

their taking yours: so they are content neither to receive nor

give.