11.
Hence that in man is alone a good which alone belongs to man.
For we are not now seeking to discover what is a good, but what good is man’s.
And if there is no other attribute which belongs peculiarly to man except reason, then reason will be his one peculiar good, but a good that is worth all the rest put together.
If any man is bad, he will, I suppose, be regarded with disapproval; if good, I suppose he will be regarded with approval.
Therefore, that attribute of man whereby he is approved or disapproved is his chief and only good.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On learning wisdom in old age
Location: Chapter 76, Section 11
Content:
11.
Hence that in man is alone a good which alone belongs to man.
For we are not now seeking to discover what is a good, but what good is man’s.
And if there is no other attribute which belongs peculiarly to man except reason, then reason will be his one peculiar good, but a good that is worth all the rest put together.
If any man is bad, he will, I suppose, be regarded with disapproval; if good, I suppose he will be regarded with approval.
Therefore, that attribute of man whereby he is approved or disapproved is his chief and only good.