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[4]
For friendship exacts what is possible, not what is
due; requital in accordance with desert is in fact sometimes impossible, for instance in
honoring the gods, or one's parents: no one could ever render them the honor they deserve,
and a man is deemed virtuous if he pays them all the regard that he can. Hence it would
appear that a son never ought to disown his father, although a father may disown his son;
for a debtor ought to pay what he owes, but
nothing that a son can do comes up to the benefits he has received, so that a son is
always in his father's debt. But a creditor may discharge his debtor, and therefore a
father may disown his son. At the same time, no doubt it is unlikely that a father ever
would abandon a son unless the son were excessively vicious; for natural affection apart,
it is not in human nature to reject the assistance that a son will be able to render.
Whereas a bad son will look on the duty of supporting his father as one to be avoided, or
at all events not eagerly undertaken; for most people wish to receive benefits, but avoid
bestowing them as unprofitable.
So much then for a discussion of these subjects.
Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 19, translated by H. Rackham. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1934.
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