1.
Who can doubt, my dear Lucilius, that life is the gift of the immortal gods, but that living well is the gift of philosophy?
Hence the idea that our debt to philosophy is greater than our debt to the gods, in proportion as a good life is more of a benefit than mere life, would be regarded as correct, were not philosophy itself a boon which the gods have bestowed upon us.
They have given the knowledge thereof to none, but the faculty of acquiring it they have given to all.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the part played by philosophy in the progress of man
Location: Chapter 90, Section 1
Content:
1.
Who can doubt, my dear Lucilius, that life is the gift of the immortal gods, but that living well is the gift of philosophy?
Hence the idea that our debt to philosophy is greater than our debt to the gods, in proportion as a good life is more of a benefit than mere life, would be regarded as correct, were not philosophy itself a boon which the gods have bestowed upon us.
They have given the knowledge thereof to none, but the faculty of acquiring it they have given to all.