109. There are two kinds of free-giving, one
arising from liberality, the other from wasteful extravagance. Cic. de
Off. II. 16. It is a mark of liberality to receive
the stranger, to clothe the naked, to redeem the captives, to help the
needy. It is wasteful to spend money on expensive banquets and
much wine. Wherefore one reads: “Wine is wasteful,
drunkenness is abusive.” Prov. xx. 1. It is
wasteful to spend one’s own wealth merely for the sake of gaining
the favour of the people. This they do who spend their
inheritance on the games of the circus, or on theatrical pieces and
gladiatorial shows, or even a combat of wild beasts, just to surpass
the fame of their forefathers for these things. All this that
they do is but foolish, for it is not right to be extravagant in
spending money even on good works.