21.
If one person is less happy than another, it follows that he eagerly desires the life of that other and happier man in preference to his own.
But the happy man prefers no other man’s life to his own.
Either of these two things is incredible: that there should be anything left for a happy man to wish for in preference to what is, or that he should not prefer the thing which is better than what he already has.
For certainly, the more prudent he is, the more he will strive after the best, and he will desire to attain it by every possible means.
But how can one be happy who is still able, or rather who is still bound, to crave something else?
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On some vain syllogisms
Location: Chapter 85, Section 20
Content:
21.
If one person is less happy than another, it follows that he eagerly desires the life of that other and happier man in preference to his own.
But the happy man prefers no other man’s life to his own.
Either of these two things is incredible: that there should be anything left for a happy man to wish for in preference to what is, or that he should not prefer the thing which is better than what he already has.
For certainly, the more prudent he is, the more he will strive after the best, and he will desire to attain it by every possible means.
But how can one be happy who is still able, or rather who is still bound, to crave something else?