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Often appears with: refusal of money · pride, vanity, and humility · pride in giving · pompeius pennus · money, coin, and credit · justice as a virtue · gratitude and ingratitude · demetrius · corruption, patronage, and bribery · bribery
Usually: censure (2) · argument (1) · narrative (1) · deception discovered (1) · exhortation (1)
“If he meant to tempt me, he ought to have tried to do so by offering his entire kingdom.” Lucius Annaeus Seneca, L. Annaeus Seneca on Benefits · wit
Seneca criticizes Gaius Caesar’s humiliating gesture toward Pompeius Pennus, then argues that pride turns gifts into injuries and that benefits should be given with gentle, level-minded courtesy.
you. Let us shun vain boasting: let us be silent, and let our deeds speak for us. A benefit conferred with haughtiness not only wins no gratitude, but causes dislike. XII. Gaius Caesar granted Pompeius Pennus his life, that is, if not to take away life be to grant it; then, when Pompeius was set free and returning thanks to him, he stretched out his left foot to be kissed. Those who excuse this action, and say that …
He recounts that Gaius Caesar offered Demetrius 200,000 sesterces and he refused, then adds Caesar’s remark that if he tried to tempt him, he should have offered his entire kingdom.
that he could be influenced by such a bribe, he said, "If he meant to tempt me, he ought to have tried to do so by offering his entire kingdom." XII. It is possible, then, to give something to the wise man, although all things belong to the wise man. Similarly, though we declare that friends have all things in common, it is nevertheless possible to give something to a friend: for I have not everything in common with…