19.
We meet with one person who maintains that a wise man who has met with bodily misfortune is neither wretched nor happy.
But he also is in error, for he is putting the results of chance upon a parity with the virtues, and is attributing only the same influence to things that are honourable as to things that are devoid of honour.
But what is more detestable and more unworthy than to put contemptible things in the same class with things worthy of reverence!
For reverence is due to justice, duty, loyalty, bravery, and prudence; on the contrary, those attributes are worthless with which the most worthless men are often blessed in fuller measure,—such as a sturdy leg, strong shoulders, good teeth, and healthy and solid muscles.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the happy life
Location: Chapter 92, Section 19
Content:
19.
We meet with one person who maintains that a wise man who has met with bodily misfortune is neither wretched nor happy.
But he also is in error, for he is putting the results of chance upon a parity with the virtues, and is attributing only the same influence to things that are honourable as to things that are devoid of honour.
But what is more detestable and more unworthy than to put contemptible things in the same class with things worthy of reverence!
For reverence is due to justice, duty, loyalty, bravery, and prudence; on the contrary, those attributes are worthless with which the most worthless men are often blessed in fuller measure,—such as a sturdy leg, strong shoulders, good teeth, and healthy and solid muscles.