In order to awaken some men, it is necessary only to shake, not to strike, them; in the same way, in the case of some men, their sense of honor about returning gratitude is, not extinct, but only asleep. Let us arouse it. “Do not,” they might say, “turn your gift into an injury; for injury it will be if you fail to ask repayment for the express purpose of leaving me ungrateful. What if I do not know what you desire? What if I have not watched for an opportunity because I was distracted by business and occupied with other interests? Show me what I can do, what you wish me to do. Why do you lose faith before you put me to the test? Why are you in a hurry to lose both your benefit and a friend? How do you know whether I am unwilling, or merely unaware — whether I am lacking in opportunity, or intention? Give me a chance!” I shall, therefore, remind him of my benefit, not bitterly, not publicly, not with reproaches, but in such a way that he will think that, instead of being brought back, he himself has come back, to the recollection of it.