It was a custom for the Athenians to give a funeral oration to their fallen soldiers. Pericles was asked to give the funeral oration to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the Peloponnesian War in the 5th century B. C. In this oration, Pericles praised democracy in Athens. He listed some issues that are fairly similar to some issues and institutions that the United States has today. These issues can also be dissimilar to some issues in the United States today.
One of the issues mentioned in the funeral oration was that Athenians prefer to give instead of receiving. It says, "In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving favors." (p. 29) My understanding of this is Athenians are willing to help out neighboring countries. They will lend out a helping hand if needed. The Athenians will infrequently ask for favors though. They are an independent country that will help but will rarely receive. They will continue to help out but their recipient will be in their debt. Due to this the debtor feels less than kind towards its helpers because they know they have to pay back the favor. It is not a free gift and the debtor is fully aware.
This issue is similar to one of the United States. The United States is always willing to give any country a helping hand. The United States is always wasting millions of dollars to help out other countries. We send third world countries money, we send them food, clothing, medical aid, and plenty of other things. We rarely receive aid from other .
countries. We do not receive money, or receive clothing from others. .
The difference that I see between Athenians and United States are Athenians kept .
them in their debt for the favor. The United States does help out many countries but does .
not keep them in debt. The Athenians expected to get paid back. In the funeral oration it says, " the debtor feels less keenly from the very consciousness that the return he makes be a payment, not a free gift.