In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle comments that it is the mark of a virtuous man is to give gifts, but not receive them. Giving gifts denotes one's superior position, their abundance, their surplus, while their inclination towards declining gifts means they are secure in their own position and do not need material goods.

Extrapolated, this means that selfless and altruistic are signs of the superior, excellent, virtuous man while going out of one's way to not demonstrate good will to their fellow man is the sign of a small-souled bugman.