That man is good who does good to others; if he suffers on account of the good he does, he is very good; if he suffers at the hands of those to whom he has done good, then his goodness is so great that it could be enhanced only by greater sufferings; and if he should die at their hands, his virtue can go no further: it is heroic, it is perfect.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the concept of altruism and the measure of one's goodness based on their actions towards others. It suggests that a person is considered good when they consistently do good deeds for others. The quote further argues that the level of goodness increases when someone suffers because of their good actions, especially when the suffering is inflicted by those they have helped. The ultimate display of virtue, according to the quote, is when such a person sacrifices their own life for others, reaching a state of heroism and perfection.

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