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of the recipient. But
he ought no doubt to estimate the gift not at what it seems to him to be worth now that he
has received it, but at the value he put on it before he received it. 2.
Other questions that may be raised are such as these: Does a man owe his father unlimited
respect and obedience, or ought he when ill to take the advice of a physician, and when
electing a general to vote for the best soldier? and similarly, ought he to do a service
to a friend rather than to a virtuous man, and ought he to repay his obligation to a
benefactor rather than make a present to a comrade, when he is not in a position to do
both? 2.
[2]
Now perhaps with all these matters it is not easy to lay down an exact rule, because the
cases vary indefinitely in importance or unimportance, and in nobility or urgency.
2.
[3]
But it is quite clear
that no one person is entitled to unlimited consideration. As a general rule one ought to
return services rendered rather than do favors to one's comrades, just as one ought to pay
back a loan to a creditor rather than give the money to a friend. 2.
[4]
Yet perhaps even this rule is not
without exceptions. For example, (a) suppose one has been ransomed from
brigands; ought one to ransom one's ransomer in turn, whoever he may be—or even
if he has not been captured himself but asks for his money back, ought one to repay
him—