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[3]
If that is so, must not ingratitude be injustice pure and simple?
He assented.
Therefore the greater the benefits received the greater the injustice of not showing gratitude?
He agreed again.
Now what deeper obligation can we find than that of children to their parents? To their parents children owe their being and their portion of all fair sights and all blessings that the gods bestow on men — gifts so highly prized by us that all will sacrifice anything rather than lose them; and the reason why governments have made death the penalty for the greatest crimes is that the fear of it is the strongest deterrent against crime.
If that is so, must not ingratitude be injustice pure and simple?
He assented.
Therefore the greater the benefits received the greater the injustice of not showing gratitude?
He agreed again.
Now what deeper obligation can we find than that of children to their parents? To their parents children owe their being and their portion of all fair sights and all blessings that the gods bestow on men — gifts so highly prized by us that all will sacrifice anything rather than lose them; and the reason why governments have made death the penalty for the greatest crimes is that the fear of it is the strongest deterrent against crime.
Memorabilia. Xenophon. Edgar Carew Marchant (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1923.
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