XIX. - The liberality which consists in doing good offices for others- What sorts of study afford most opportunities of it- We should be careful of not offending some, by obliging others.

I come now to speak of that sort of bounty, which consists not in giving, but in labouring for another’s good; and extends itself, as to the republic in general, so to each member of the city in particular. The civil law principally gives us opportunities of exercising this; for there is nothing more proper to get a man interest and credit in the world, than the managing the law-suits of a great many persons, the assisting them with his advice, and doing for them all that he can by his knowledge and skill in that learning: and therefore I admire the wisdom of our ancestors, as for several reasons, so particularly for this, that the knowledge and interpretation of their excellent civil law was counted a matter of the highest credit and reputation among them. This the greatest men have kept constantly among themselves, till this late sad disorder and confusion of everything: but now the glory of this sort of learning, together with all honours and degrees of dignity, is utterly ruined and fallen to nothing: and to make the matter still so much the worse, all this has happened in the days of one who, as he equalled in dignity all that have gone before him, so he was far above them in the knowledge of the laws. This study then is approved of by most people, and puts it in one’s power to assist a great many, and oblige them by kindnesses. There is another sort of knowledge nearly related to this; the art, I mean, of persuasive speaking, which carries more majesty and ornament along with it, and is more pleasing and liked of, by the generality of men: for what is there in the world more extraordinary than eloquence, whether we consider the admiration of its hearers, the reliance of those who stand in need of its assistance, or the good will procured by it from those whom it defends? Our ancestors therefore held this among the chief of their civil professions. Any one then must oblige a great many, and have a large number of clients and dependents, who is able to speak well, and willing to take pains, and (as it was the custom among our good forefathers) is ready to undertake many people’s causes, without ever expecting to be rewarded for his trouble. And here I have a fair opportunity offered me to bemoan the great downfall, that I may not say the utter extinction of eloquence; but that I am afraid I shall seem to complain for my own sake only. However, I cannot but with some concern take notice what a great many excellent orators we have lost; how few there are rising, from whom we can expect anything; and how much fewer who are able to perform and do anything; and for all that, how many full of impudence and presumption. Now it is not for all, nor indeed for very many, to be either skilful lawyers or eloquent pleaders: however, there is no one, if he would make it his business, but may do friendly offices to several people; either by begging some kindnesses for them, or by recommending their cases to the judges and officers, or by being industrious in promoting their interests, or, lastly, by using his endeavours with those who either are able lawyers or eloquent orators; which whoever shall do, will make a great many be beholden to him, and get himself a general interest in the world. There is one thing however of which I would take notice; though I think it is so obvious, that I hardly need to do it; which is, to have a care of offending some whilst he is endeavouring to be serviceable to others: for it often comes to pass, that such do an unkindness, either to those whom they ought to have obliged, or to those who are able to make them suffer for it afterwards; which shows carelessness and negligence if done undesignedly; but if designedly, rashness and imprudence: and if it should happen that we are forced, though unwillingly, to disoblige any person, we must endeavour to excuse it as well as we are able, by showing the necessity we lay under of doing so, and how it was utterly impossible for us to avoid it; and must be careful and industrious to repair the injury, by making some reasonable amends for it afterwards.