21. “But,” someone will say, “we know what is cold and what is hot; a lukewarm temperature lies between.
Similarly, A is happy, and B is wretched, and C is neither happy nor wretched.” I wish to examine this figure, which is brought into play against us.
If I add to your lukewarm water a larger quantity of cold water, the result will be cold water.
But if I pour in a larger quantity of hot water, the water will finally become hot.
In the case, however, of your man who is neither wretched nor happy, no matter how much I add to his troubles, he will not be unhappy, according to your argument; hence your figure offers no analogy.
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 21
Content:
21. “But,” someone will say, “we know what is cold and what is hot; a lukewarm temperature lies between.
Similarly, A is happy, and B is wretched, and C is neither happy nor wretched.” I wish to examine this figure, which is brought into play against us.
If I add to your lukewarm water a larger quantity of cold water, the result will be cold water.
But if I pour in a larger quantity of hot water, the water will finally become hot.
In the case, however, of your man who is neither wretched nor happy, no matter how much I add to his troubles, he will not be unhappy, according to your argument; hence your figure offers no analogy.