20.
Again, if the wise man whose body is a trial to him shall be regarded as neither wretched nor happy, but shall be left in a sort of half-way position, his life also will be neither desirable nor undesirable.
But what is so foolish as to say that the wise man’s life is not desirable?
And what is so far beyond the bounds of credence as the opinion that any life is neither desirable nor undesirable?
Again, if bodily ills do not make a man wretched, they consequently allow him to be happy.
For things which have no power to change his condition for the worse, have not the power, either, to disturb that condition when it is at its best.
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 20
Content:
20.
Again, if the wise man whose body is a trial to him shall be regarded as neither wretched nor happy, but shall be left in a sort of half-way position, his life also will be neither desirable nor undesirable.
But what is so foolish as to say that the wise man’s life is not desirable?
And what is so far beyond the bounds of credence as the opinion that any life is neither desirable nor undesirable?
Again, if bodily ills do not make a man wretched, they consequently allow him to be happy.
For things which have no power to change his condition for the worse, have not the power, either, to disturb that condition when it is at its best.