We shall divide benefits into absolute and vulgar; the one appertaining to good life, the other is only matter of commerce. The former are the more excellent, because they can never be made void; whereas all material benefits are tossed back and forward, and change their master. There are some offices that look like benefits, but are only desirable conveniences, as wealth, etc., and these a wicked man may receive from a good, or a good man from an evil. Others, again, that bear the face of injuries, which are only benefits ill taken; as cutting, lancing, burning, under the hand of a surgeon. The greatest benefits of all are those of good education, which we receive from our parents, either in the state of ignorance or perverseness; as, their care and tenderness in our infancy; their discipline in our childhood, to keep us to our duties by fear; and, if fair means will not do, their proceeding afterwards to severity and punishment, without which we should never have come to good. There are matters of great value, many times, that are but of small price; as instructions from a tutor, medicine from a physician, etc. And there are small matters again, which are of great consideration to us: the gift is small, and the consequence great; as a cup of cold water in a time of need may save a man’s life. Some things are of great moment to the giver, others to the receiver: one man gives me a house; another snatches me out when it is falling upon my head; one gives me an estate; another takes me out of the fire, or casts me out a rope when I am sinking. Some good offices we do to friends, others to strangers; but those are the noblest that we do without pre-desert. There is an obligation of bounty, and an obligation of charity; this in case of necessity, and that in point of convenience. Some benefits are common, others are personal; as if a prince (out of pure grace) grant a privilege to a city, the obligation lies upon the community, and only upon every individual as a part of the whole; but if it be done particularly for my sake, then am I singly the debtor for it. The cherishing of strangers is one of the duties of hospitality, and exercises itself in the relief and protection of the distressed. There are benefits of good counsel, reputation, life, fortune, liberty, health, nay, and of superfluity and pleasure. One man obliges me out of his pocket; another gives me matter of ornament and curiosity; a third, consolation. To say nothing of negative benefits; for there are that reckon it an obligation if they do a body no hurt; and place it to account, as if they saved a man, when they do not undo him. To shut up all in one word; as benevolence is the most sociable of all virtues, so it is of the largest extent; for there is not any man, either so great or so little, but he is yet capable of giving and of receiving benefits.
We can divide benefits into two types: absolute and ordinary. Absolute benefits relate to living a good life, while ordinary benefits are simply matters of business. Absolute benefits are more valuable because they can never be taken away. Material benefits, on the other hand, get passed around and change owners constantly. Some actions look like benefits but are really just convenient arrangements, like wealth. A bad person can receive these from a good person, or a good person from a bad one. Other actions appear harmful but are actually benefits that aren't understood properly. Think of cutting, piercing, or burning done by a surgeon. The greatest benefits of all come from good education, which we receive from our parents when we're ignorant or stubborn. This includes their care and tenderness when we're babies. It includes their discipline in childhood to keep us on track through fear. When gentle methods don't work, they move to strictness and punishment. Without this, we would never turn out well. Many valuable things cost very little, like instruction from a teacher or medicine from a doctor. Then there are small things that matter greatly to us. The gift is small, but the result is huge. A cup of cold water when someone desperately needs it can save their life. Some things matter greatly to the giver, others to the receiver. One person gives me a house. Another pulls me away when it's about to fall on my head. One gives me property. Another rescues me from a fire or throws me a rope when I'm drowning. We do good deeds for friends and for strangers. The noblest are those we do without any prior reason to help. There's an obligation that comes from generosity and an obligation that comes from charity. Charity applies in cases of necessity, generosity in matters of convenience. Some benefits are shared, others are personal. If a prince grants a privilege to a city out of pure grace, the whole community owes him. Each individual only owes him as part of the whole. But if he does it specifically for me, then I alone am in his debt. Welcoming strangers is part of hospitality. It shows itself in helping and protecting those in distress. There are benefits of good advice, reputation, life, fortune, freedom, health, and even luxury and pleasure. One person helps me with money. Another gives me something decorative or interesting. A third offers comfort. This says nothing of negative benefits. Some people think it's a favor if they don't hurt you. They count it as if they saved you when they simply didn't destroy you. To sum it all up in one idea: kindness is the most social of all virtues, and it has the widest reach. There's no person, whether great or small, who can't both give and receive benefits.