44. Rightly, therefore, Solomon says:
“He that withholdeth corn shall leave it for the
nations,” Prov. xi. 26. St. Ambrose cites the same verse
each time, but the first time according to LXX. The second time
he varies the commencement. not for his heirs,
for the gains of avarice have nothing to do with the rights of
succession. That which is not rightfully got together is
scattered as though by a wind by outsiders that seize it. And he
added: “He who graspeth at the year’s produce is
cursed among the people, but blessing shall be his that imparteth
it.” Thou seest, then, what is said of him who distributes
the corn, but not of him that seeks for a high price. True
expediency does not therefore exist where virtue loses more than
expediency gains.