2.
Now if we are agreed on this point, it is natural that we shall be agreed on the following also—namely, that the happy life depends upon this and this alone: our attainment of perfect reason.
For it is naught but this that keeps the soul from being bowed down, that stands its ground against Fortune; whatever the condition of their affairs may be, it keeps men untroubled.
And that alone is a good which is never subject to impairment.
That man, I declare, is happy whom nothing makes less strong than he is; he keeps to the heights, leaning upon none but himself; for one who sustains himself by any prop may fall.
If the case is otherwise, then things which do not pertain to us will begin to have great influence over us.
But who desires Fortune to have the upper hand, or what sensible man prides himself upon that which is not his own?
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 2
Content:
2.
Now if we are agreed on this point, it is natural that we shall be agreed on the following also—namely, that the happy life depends upon this and this alone: our attainment of perfect reason.
For it is naught but this that keeps the soul from being bowed down, that stands its ground against Fortune; whatever the condition of their affairs may be, it keeps men untroubled.
And that alone is a good which is never subject to impairment.
That man, I declare, is happy whom nothing makes less strong than he is; he keeps to the heights, leaning upon none but himself; for one who sustains himself by any prop may fall.
If the case is otherwise, then things which do not pertain to us will begin to have great influence over us.
But who desires Fortune to have the upper hand, or what sensible man prides himself upon that which is not his own?