Ungovernable matters

Speaking about the Persian elite, Xenophon says 

"For they think that the ungrateful are likely to be most neglectful of their duty toward their gods, their parents, their country, and their friends; for it seems that shamelessness goes hand in hand with ingratitude; and it is that, we know, which leads the way to every moral wrong."

"Ingratitude, Xenophon believes, is the companion of shamelessness, by which he means that ungrateful people are capable of caring nothing for the opinions of outraged others. Honor and shame are opposites that support each other. The true enemy of shame is not honor but shamelessness, which is both a refusal to keep the rules of honor and a resistance to the pressures of shame; it is the ultimate falling-off in an honor culture, and, as Xenophon perceives, 'leads the way to every moral wrong.' If in an honor culture people cease to care about reputation, then important moral matters that cannot be regulated by law are left with nothing to maintain them. Ingratitude is one of those ungovernable matters; in conjunction with shamelessness it can also lead to the dismantling of an honor system. For if gratitude helps knit society together, ingratitude will prevent relationships from forming and break the links already in place." (The Gift of Thanks, Margaret Visser, 2008; pages 307, 308)