12.
Mortal things decay, fall, are worn out, grow up, are exhausted, and replenished.
Hence, in their case, in view of the uncertainty of their lot, there is inequality; but of things divine the nature is one.
Reason, however, is nothing else than a portion of the divine spirit set in a human body.
If reason is divine, and the good in no case lacks reason, then the good in every case is divine.
And furthermore, there is no distinction between things divine; hence there is none between goods, either.
Therefore it follows that joy and a brave unyielding endurance of torture are equal goods; for in both there is the same greatness of soul relaxed and cheerful in the one case, in the other combative and braced for action.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On various aspects of virtue
Location: Chapter 66, Section 12
Content:
12.
Mortal things decay, fall, are worn out, grow up, are exhausted, and replenished.
Hence, in their case, in view of the uncertainty of their lot, there is inequality; but of things divine the nature is one.
Reason, however, is nothing else than a portion of the divine spirit set in a human body.
If reason is divine, and the good in no case lacks reason, then the good in every case is divine.
And furthermore, there is no distinction between things divine; hence there is none between goods, either.
Therefore it follows that joy and a brave unyielding endurance of torture are equal goods; for in both there is the same greatness of soul relaxed and cheerful in the one case, in the other combative and braced for action.