Prodigality

Prodigality is an evil by excess at the points wherecovetousness sins by defect, and vice versa. Thus, in interiordesire for riches, covetousness is excessive, prodigality isdefective. But in using riches, covetousness is defective, andprodigality is excessive. For prodigality is the careless andfoolish squandering of riches.

Prodigality is manifestly an evil, for it conflictswith right reason. Aristotle (Ethic. iv 1) says ofthe prodigal man that his giving is not good, nor for a goodpurpose, nor is it regulated by reason.

But prodigality, in itself, is not so grievous a fault ascovetousness, because: (a) it is less unreasonable; (b) it doessome good, whereas covetousness does none; (c) it is an evil morereadily cured than covetousness is.