[Tex/LaTex] Why does not \centering work on a table, while \begin{center} does

horizontal alignmenttables

I cannot get my grips around the different effects of \begin{center} and \centering when used on tables (not inside tables). The MWE should explain the issue clearly:

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ll}
\\
\emph{Definite benefit} & \emph{Definite cost} \\
Self-respect & Expense \\
\\
\emph{Possible benefit} & \emph{Probable cost} \\
Compensation & Trauma \\
\\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

works to center, but not

{\centering
\begin{tabular}{ll}
\\
\emph{Definite benefit} & \emph{Definite cost} \\
Self-respect & Expense \\
\\
\emph{Possible benefit} & \emph{Probable cost} \\
Compensation & Trauma \\
\\
\end{tabular}
}

Why?

\end{document}

First table centered, the other one not.

Best Answer

A paragraph is set using the settings at the end of the paragraph. You have a {} group around the centering which means that its settings are discarded before the paragraph ends. Include a blank line before the } or rely on a surrounding environment such as table.