14.
It is the day which fills it with light, and the night which steals the light away; thus it is with the things which we call indifferent and “middle,” like riches, strength, beauty, titles, kingship, and their opposites,—death, exile, ill-health, pain, and all such evils, the fear of which upsets us to a greater or less extent; it is the wickedness or the virtue that bestows the name of good or evil.
An object is not by its own essence either hot or cold; it is heated when thrown into a furnace, and chilled when dropped into water.
Death is honourable when related to that which is honourable; by this I mean virtue and a soul that despises the worst hardships.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the natural fear of death
Location: Chapter 82, Section 14
Content:
14.
It is the day which fills it with light, and the night which steals the light away; thus it is with the things which we call indifferent and “middle,” like riches, strength, beauty, titles, kingship, and their opposites,—death, exile, ill-health, pain, and all such evils, the fear of which upsets us to a greater or less extent; it is the wickedness or the virtue that bestows the name of good or evil.
An object is not by its own essence either hot or cold; it is heated when thrown into a furnace, and chilled when dropped into water.
Death is honourable when related to that which is honourable; by this I mean virtue and a soul that despises the worst hardships.