Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
H. Rackham, Ed.

If the liberal man should happen to spend in a manner contrary to what is right and noble, he will feel pain, though in a moderate degree and in the right manner; for it is a mark of virtue to feel both pleasure and pain on the right occasions and in the right manner. 1. [26] Also the liberal man is an easy person to deal with in money matters; 1. [27] he can be cheated, because he does not value money, and is more distressed if he has paid less than he ought than he is annoyed if he has paid more: he does not agree with the saying of Simonides.¹ 1. [28]

The prodigal on the other hand errs in his feelings with regard to money as well as in his actions; he feels neither pleasure nor pain on the right occasions nor in the right manner. This will become clearer as we proceed.1. [29]

We have said² then that Prodigality and Meanness are modes of excess and of deficiency, and this in two things, giving and getting—giving being taken to include spending. Prodigality exceeds in giving [without getting³], and is deficient in getting; Meanness falls short in giving and goes to excess in getting, only not on the great scale. 1. [30] Now the two forms of Prodigality are very seldom found united in the same person, because it is not easy to give to everyone without receiving from anyone: the giver's means are soon exhausted, if he is a private citizen, and only such persons are considered prodigal.⁴ 1. [31] In fact, a man who is prodigal in both ways may be thought considerably superior