The Ethics of Aristotle - Penn State Hazleton

The Ethics of Aristotleon: 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 sameway as it was contracted.[Sidenote:1163a] Now this results from the fact, that allmen, or the generality at least, wish what is honourable, but,when tested, choose what is profitable; and the doingkindnesses disinterestedly is honourable while receiving benefitsis profitable. In such cases one should, if able, make areturn proportionate to the good received, and do so willingly,because one ought not to make a disinterested friendof a man against his inclination: one should act, I say, ashaving made a mistake originally in receiving kindness fromone from whom one ought not to have received it, he beingnot a friend nor doing the act disinterestedly; one shouldtherefore discharge one’s self of the obligation as having receiveda kindness on specified terms: and if able a man wouldengage to repay the kindness, while if he were unable eventhe doer of it would not expect it of him: so that if he is ablehe ought to repay it. But one ought at the first to ascertainfrom whom one is receiving kindness, and on what understanding,that on that same understanding one may acceptit or not.A question admitting of dispute is whether one is to measurea kindness by the good done to the receiver of it, andmake this the standard by which to requite, or by the kindintention of the doer?For they who have received kindnesses frequently plead indepreciation that they have received from their benefactorssuch things as were small for them to give, or such as theythemselves could have got from others: while the doers ofthe kindnesses affirm that they gave the best they had, andwhat could not have been got from others, and under danger,or in such-like straits.May we not say, that as utility is the motive of the Friendshipthe advantage conferred on the receiver must be thestandard? because he it is who requests the kindness and theother serves him in his need on the understanding that he isto get an equivalent: the assistance rendered is then exactlyproportionate to the advantage which the receiver has obtained,and he should therefore repay as much as he gainedby it, or even more, this being more creditable.196