The Ethics of Aristotle - Penn State Hazleton

The Ethics of Aristotlea large scale. There are cases of expenditure which we callhonourable, such as are dedicatory offerings to the gods, andthe furnishing their temples, and sacrifices, and in like mannereverything that has reference to the Deity, and all suchpublic matters as are objects of honourable ambition, as whenmen think in any case that it is their duty to furnish a chorusfor the stage splendidly, or fit out and maintain a trireme, orgive a general public feast.Now in all these, as has been already stated, respect is hadalso to the rank and the means of the man who is doingthem: because they should be proportionate to these, andbefit not the work only but also the doer of the work. Forthis reason a poor man cannot be a Magnificent man, sincehe has not means wherewith to spend largely and yet becomingly;and if he attempts it he is a fool, inasmuch as it isout of proportion and contrary to propriety, whereas to bein accordance with virtue a thing must be done rightly.Such expenditure is fitting moreover for those to whomsuch things previously belong, either through themselves orthrough their ancestors or people with whom they are connected,and to the high-born or people of high repute, andso on: because all these things imply greatness and reputation.So then the Magnificent man is pretty much as I have describedhim, and Magnificence consists in such expenditures:because they are the greatest and most honourable:[Sidenote:1123a] and of private ones such as come but oncefor all, marriage to wit, and things of that kind; and anyoccasion which engages the interest of the community ingeneral, or of those who are in power; and what concernsreceiving and despatching strangers; and gifts, and repayinggifts: because the Magnificent man is not apt to spend uponhimself but on the public good, and gifts are pretty much inthe same case as dedicatory offerings.It is characteristic also of the Magnificent man to furnishhis house suitably to his wealth, for this also in a way reflectscredit; and again, to spend rather upon such works as are oflong duration, these being most honourable. And again, proprietyin each case, because the same things are not suitableto gods and men, nor in a temple and a tomb. And again, inthe case of expenditures, each must be great of its kind, andgreat expense on a great object is most magnificent, that is in90