This last is, I admit, the meanest and most sordid motive of all, both for those who are swayed by it and for those who venture to resort to it. *22* For things are in a bad way, when that which should be obtained by merit is attempted by money.
In his ethical discourse, Cicero condemns the practice of using money to achieve what should be earned through merit, identifying it as a sign of societal decline.
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What a sorry state of servitude for a virtue--to be pandering to sensual pleasure!
Such acts of generosity are not to be so highly esteemed as those which are performed with judgment, deliberation, and mature consideration.
Whether we do the kindness or not is optional; but to fail to requite one is not allowable to a good man, provided he can make the requital without violating the rights of others.
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