And if even such leisure as that of our poet owes a great debt to its author, though its greatest boon is this: As thou canst see, He let me turn my cattle out to feed, And play what fancy pleased on rustic reed; how highly are we to value this leisure of the philosopher, which is spent among the gods, and makes us gods?
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On philosophers and kings
Location: Chapter 73, Section 11
Content:
11.
And if even such leisure as that of our poet owes a great debt to its author, though its greatest boon is this: As thou canst see, He let me turn my cattle out to feed, And play what fancy pleased on rustic reed; how highly are we to value this leisure of the philosopher, which is spent among the gods, and makes us gods?