This was the sum of human duty, and he that fell short, ran beside, or outstripped justice was a criminal.

What he gave me was my due or not my due.

If it were my due, I might reasonably demand it from him and it was wicked to withhold it.

Merit on one side or gratitude on the other, were contradictory and unintelligible.
If I were fully convinced that this benefit was not my due and yet received it, he should hold me in contempt.

The rectitude of my principles and conduct would be the measure of his approbation, and no benefit should he ever bestow which the receiver was not entitled to claim, and which it would not be criminal in him to refuse.
These principles were not new from the mouth of Ludloe, but they had, hitherto, been regarded as the fruits of a venturous speculation in my mind.