Scruton on Gratitude

In continuing to reflect on the differences between generosity and charity, which I discussed in a previous post, I recalled this somewhat related column from April 2010 by Roger Scruton on "Gratitude and Grace." 

Where I explored in my post the relationship between charity and generosity, Scruton probes the differences between receiving out of a sense of charity and receiving out of a sense of justice.  His point seems to be that receiving from charity typically results in gratitude; receiving from justice typically results in ingratitude because receiving is an expected right. 

In his view, society is increasingly not marked by gratitude.  As the arm of the state lengthens, as charity is replaced by justice, ingratitude grows.

Scruton's may be a view foreign to many of us, but it is worth considering.