"He has given me every honor the state offers, but he hasn't added anything to my personal wealth. What he gave me, he had to give to someone. He didn't reach into his own pocket for it." Stop talking like this. Thank him for what you received. Wait for more, and be grateful you still have room for more good things. There's real pleasure in having something left to hope for. Are you his top choice? Then celebrate holding first place in your friend's heart. Are many others chosen before you? Then remember how many more people rank below you than above you. Want to know your biggest problem? You keep terrible accounts. You put a high price on what you give and a low price on what you get.
He has bestowed upon me every honour that the state affords: yes, but he has added nothing to my private fortune. What he gave me he was obliged to give to somebody: he brought out nothing from his own pocket.” Rather than speak thus, thank him for what you have received: wait for the rest, and be thankful that you are not yet too full to contain more: there is a pleasure in having something left to hope for. Are you preferred to every one? then rejoice at holding the first place in the thoughts of your friend. Or are many others preferred before you? then think how many more are below you than there are above you. Do you ask, what is your greatest fault? It is, that you keep your accounts wrongly: you set a high value upon what you give, and a low one upon what you receive.