20. Who was more anxious than he for the
common weal? Who more wise in domestic affairs, since God, who
orders all things in due variation, assigned to him a house and
suitable fortune? Who was more sympathetic in mind, more
bounteous in hand, towards the poor, that most dishonoured portion of
the nature to which equal honour is due? For he actually treated
his own property as if it were another’s, of which he was but the
steward, relieving poverty as far as he could, and expending not only
his superfluities but his necessities—a manifest proof of love
for the poor, giving a portion, not only to seven, according to the
injunction of Solomon, Eccles. xi. 2. but if an eighth
came forward, not even in his case being niggardly, but more pleased to
dispose of his wealth than we know others are to acquire it; taking
away the yoke and election (which means, as I think, all meanness in
testing as to whether the recipient is worthy or not) and word of
murmuring Isai. lviii. 9. (LXX.). in
benevolence. This is what most men do: they give indeed,
but without that readiness, which is a greater and more perfect thing
than the mere offering. For he thought it much better Better.
Clémencet compares Dem. De Corona. to be generous even to the undeserving for
the sake of the deserving, than from fear of the undeserving
to deprive those who were
deserving. And this seems to be the duty of casting our bread
upon the waters, Eccles. xi. 1. since it will not
be swept away or perish in the eyes of the just Investigator, but will
arrive yonder where all that is ours is laid up, and will meet with us
in due time, even though we think it not.