18.
Besides, no deed that a man does is honourable unless he has devoted himself thereto and attended to it with all his heart, rebelling against it with no portion of his being.
When, however, a man goes to face an evil, either through fear of worse evils or in the hope of goods whose attainment is of sufficient moment to him that he can swallow the one evil which he must endure,—in that case the judgment of the agent is drawn in two directions.
On the one side is the motive which bids him carry out his purpose; on the other, the motive which restrains him and makes him flee from something which has aroused his apprehension or leads to danger.
Hence he is torn in different directions; and if this happens, the glory of his act is gone.
For virtue accomplishes its plans only when the spirit is in harmony with itself.
There is no element of fear in any of its actions.
Yield not to evils, but, still braver, go Where’er thy fortune shall allow.
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 18
Content:
18.
Besides, no deed that a man does is honourable unless he has devoted himself thereto and attended to it with all his heart, rebelling against it with no portion of his being.
When, however, a man goes to face an evil, either through fear of worse evils or in the hope of goods whose attainment is of sufficient moment to him that he can swallow the one evil which he must endure,—in that case the judgment of the agent is drawn in two directions.
On the one side is the motive which bids him carry out his purpose; on the other, the motive which restrains him and makes him flee from something which has aroused his apprehension or leads to danger.
Hence he is torn in different directions; and if this happens, the glory of his act is gone.
For virtue accomplishes its plans only when the spirit is in harmony with itself.
There is no element of fear in any of its actions.
Yield not to evils, but, still braver, go Where’er thy fortune shall allow.