Generosity is the part of a soul raised above the vulgar. There is in it
something of what we admire in heroes, and praise with a degree of
rapture.
In paying his debts a man barely does his duty, and it is an action
attended with no sort of glory. Should _Lysippus_ satisfy his creditors,
who would be at the pains of telling it to the world? Generosity is a
virtue of a very different complexion. It is raised above duty, and,
from its elevation, attracts the attention and the praises of us little
mortals below.
* * * * *