He rebuketh not vice, and it is strong: he comforteth not virtue, and it fainteth.
There is nothing more potent among men than a gift timely bestowed;
And a gift kept back where it was hoped, separateth chief friends:
For what is a gift but a symbol, giving substance to praise and esteem?
And where is a sharper arrow than the sting of unmerited neglect?
Expect not praise from the mean, neither gratitude from the selfish;
And to keep the proud thy friend, see thou do him not a service:
For, behold, he will hate thee for his debt: thou hast humbled him by giving;
And his stubbornness never shall acknowledge the good he hath taken from thy hand:
Yea, rather will he turn and be thy foe, lest thou gather from his friendship