“But,” says the objector, “by such reasoning, things which are the gift of Fortune will not even be advantages.” No, advantages and goods stand each in a different situation.
An advantage is that which contains more of usefulness than of annoyance.
But a good ought to be unmixed and with no element in it of harmfulness.
A thing is not good if it contains more benefit than injury, but only if it contains nothing but benefit.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: Some arguments in favour of the simple life
Location: Chapter 87, Section 36
Content:
36. “But,” says the objector, “by such reasoning, things which are the gift of Fortune will not even be advantages.” No, advantages and goods stand each in a different situation.
An advantage is that which contains more of usefulness than of annoyance.
But a good ought to be unmixed and with no element in it of harmfulness.
A thing is not good if it contains more benefit than injury, but only if it contains nothing but benefit.