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or to show consideration for others
(forgiveness), is the faculty of judging correctly what is equitable.
This is indicated by our saying that the equitable man is specially considerate for others
(forgiving), and that it is equitable to show consideration for others
(forgiveness) in certain cases; but consideration for others is that
consideration which judges rightly what is equitable, judging rightly meaning
judging what is truly equitable.
[2]
All these qualities, it is reasonable to say, refer to the same thing; indeed we
attribute Considerateness, Understanding, Prudence, and Intelligence to the same persons
when we say of people that they ‘are old enough to show consideration and
intelligence,’1 and are prudent and
understanding persons. For all these faculties deal with ultimate and particular things;
and a man has understanding and is considerate, or considerate for others, when he is a
good judge of the matters in regard to which Prudence is displayed2; because equitable
actions are common to all good men3 in their behavior towards others,
[3]
while on the other hand all matters of conduct belong to the class of
particular and ultimate things (since the prudent man admittedly has to take
cognizance of these things), and Understanding and Consideration deal with
matters of conduct, which are ultimate.
[4]
Also Intelligence
apprehends the ultimates in both aspects—since ultimates as well as primary
definitions4
1 i.e., ‘have reached years of discretion’; cf. 11.6 and 8.12.2.
2 This has been proved for ‘understanding’ and ‘the sensible man’ in chap. 10; it is extended to ‘considerateness’ in the words that follow: considerateness judges correctly what is equitable, equity is an element in all virtuous conduct towards others, and all virtuous conduct is determined by Prudence.
3 i.e., the possessors of each of the moral virtues.
4 See 8.9.