Men, therefore, injure those who possess things of which they are in want, whether they pertain to the necessaries, or to the superfluities of life, or the enjoyment of pleasures. They also injure those that live at a distance, and those that live near them; for the plunder of the latter is rapid, and the punishment attending the injury done to the former is slow; as was the case with those who plundered the Carthaginians. Men likewise injure the unwary, and those who are not on their guard, but are credulous; for it is easy to deceive all these. They also injure the indolent; for it is the province of a diligent man to avenge the injuries he has received. And likewise the bashful; for these do not contend about gain. They also injure those who have been injured by many, and who do not avenge the injuries they have received, as being according to the proverb the Mysian prey. Likewise those whom they have never, and those whom they have frequently injured. For both these are incautious; the former, indeed, as having never been injured, and the latter because they expect to be injured no more. Also those who are or may easily be scandalized; for persons of this description, neither deliberately choose to avenge an injury being afraid of the judges, nor are able to persuade others that they have been injured; among the number of which are those who are hated and injured. Likewise, men injure those against whom there is a pretext, either because they themselves, or their ancestors, or friends, have acted ill, or would have acted ill, either to themselves, or to their ancestors, or to those that are under their protection. For, as the proverb says, Depravity only wants a pretence. Men, also, injure both their enemies and friends; for to injure the one is easy, and the other pleasant. Likewise those who are without friends, and who are not skilful in speaking or acting. For these either do not endeavour to revenge the injury they have received, or they become reconciled, or they finally effect nothing. Also those who derive no advantage in waiting for judgment and recompence, such as foreigners and handicraft tradesmen; for these are satisfied with a small recompence for the injuries they may have received, and such men easily cease from prosecution. Men likewise injure those as have already done many injuries to others, or who have done such injuries as they now suffer. For it seems to be something near to the not doing an injury, when any one suffers such an injury, as he is accustomed to do to others. I say, for instance, as if a man should chastise him who acted insolently towards others. They also injure those who have acted ill, or who have wished to do so, or have this wish at present, or intend to do an injury hereafter. For it is attended both with the pleasant and the beautiful; and this appears to be near to not acting unjustly. Men likewise injure those, in injuring whom they gratify their friends, or those whom they admire, or love, or their masters, or in short those with whom they live, and from whom they expect to obtain some good. Also those whom they have falsely accused, and their friendship with whom is dissolved. For things of this kind appear to be near to the doing no injury, as was the case between Calippus and Dion. They likewise injure those who unless they were injured by them, would be oppressed by others, as if with these there was no longer any place for consultation; as Anesidemus is reported to have written to Gelo, when Catabia would have been depopulated by him, that he had anticipated him, as if he intended to have done the same thing himself. Also those, to whom if they have injured them they may do many things justly by way of satisfaction; as Jason of Thessaly said, it is necessary to act unjustly in some things, in order that we may be able to do many just things. Men likewise act unjustly in those things, in which all or many persons are accustomed to act injuriously; for they fancy they shall obtain pardon for thus acting. Also in those things which can easily be concealed. But things of this kind are such as are easily consumed, such as esculent substances; or which are easily changed, either in their figure, or colour, or temperament; or which may easily be concealed in many places. But things of this kind are such as are portable, and which may be concealed in small places; and which also resemble many things which he that did the injury possessed before. Men likewise commit injuries in those things which those who are injured are ashamed to disclose; such as insolent and indecent behaviour towards the wife of a man, or towards himself, or his children. They also injure others in those things, which show the prosecutor to be a contentious person; but things of this kind are such as are of small consequence, and for which pardon is granted. And thus we have nearly shown how men are capacitated when they do an injury, in what things they act unjustly, what kind of men they injure, and on what account.
The lessons published on this site are freely available to read. If you wish to move from reading to formal study — with graded assessments, academic records, and the support of the Academy — you may enroll at any time. Enrollment is open year round, to students of all ages.
