16.
It is this that is called virtue; this is what we mean by “honourable”; it is man’s unique good.
For since reason alone brings man to perfection, reason alone, when perfected, makes man happy.
This, moreover, is man’s only good, the only means by which he is made happy.
We do indeed say that those things also are goods which are furthered and brought together by virtue,—that is, all the works of virtue; but virtue itself is for this reason the only good, because there is no good without virtue.
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 16
Content:
16.
It is this that is called virtue; this is what we mean by “honourable”; it is man’s unique good.
For since reason alone brings man to perfection, reason alone, when perfected, makes man happy.
This, moreover, is man’s only good, the only means by which he is made happy.
We do indeed say that those things also are goods which are furthered and brought together by virtue,—that is, all the works of virtue; but virtue itself is for this reason the only good, because there is no good without virtue.