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[25]
The great-souled are thought to have a good memory for any benefit they have conferred,
but a bad memory for those which they have received （since the recipient of a
benefit is the inferior of his benefactor, whereas they desire to be superior）;
and to enjoy being reminded of the former but to dislike being reminded of the latter:
this is why the poet makes Thetis1
not specify her services to Zeus; nor did the Spartans treating with the Athenians2 recall the occasions
when Sparta had aided Athens, but those on which Athens had aided Sparta.
1 An incorrect recollection of Hom. Il. 1.393 ff., Hom. Il. 1.503 f.; there Achilles says that his mother has often reminded Zeus how she rescued him when the other gods wished to put him in chains; and Thetis goes to Zeus and reminds him of her services in general terms.
2 The reference is uncertain.
Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 19, translated by H. Rackham. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1934.
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