E4P70S
Scholium — Part IV
Latin
Dico "quantum potest". Nam quamvis homines ignari sint, sunt tamen homines qui in necessitatibus humanum auxilium quo nullum præstabilius est, adferre queunt atque adeo sæpe fit ut necesse sit ab iisdem beneficium accipere et consequenter iisdem contra ex eorum ingenio congratulari; ad quod accedit quod etiam in declinandis beneficiis, cautio esse debet ne videamur eosdem contemnere vel præ avaritia remunerationem timere atque ita dum eorum odium fugimus, eo ipso in eorum offensionem incurramus. Quare in declinandis beneficiis ratio utilis et honesti habenda est.
English (Elwes 1883)
I say, as far as he can. For though men be ignorant, yet are they men, and in cases of necessity could afford us human aid, the most excellent of all things: therefore it is often necessary to accept favours from them, and consequently to repay such favours in kind; we must, therefore, exercise caution in declining favours, lest we should have the appearance of despising those who bestow them, or of being, from avaricious motives, unwilling to requite them, and so give ground for offence by the very fact of striving to avoid it. Thus, in declining favours, we must look to the requirements of utility and courtesy.
Modern English
I say "as far as he can." For though ignorant people are ignorant, they are still human beings, and in times of necessity they can render human assistance — which is more valuable than anything. It therefore often happens that it is necessary to accept a favour from them, and consequently to repay that favour in kind as their disposition expects. To this must be added that even in declining favours, care must be taken not to appear to be despising the giver or to appear, out of miserliness, afraid to requite them — so that in fleeing their hatred, we give them offence by that very act. In declining favours, therefore, reason demands that we weigh both utility and decency.