On the vitality of the soul and its attributes
113:31
Book Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Book Description: The final volume of Seneca's moral letters. Common Stoic themes emerge again and again: the unreliability of fortune, the ability to form Stoic resolve, and the importance of virtue.
31.
Self-Command is the greatest command of all.
Let her teach me what a hallowed thing is the Justice which ever regards another’s good and seeks nothing for itself except its own employment.
It should have nothing to do with ambition and reputation; it should satisfy itself.
Let each man convince himself of this before all else—“I must be just without reward.” And that is not enough; let him convince himself also of this: “May I take pleasure in devoting myself of my own free will to uphold this noblest of virtues.” Let all his thoughts be turned as far as possible from personal interests.
You need not look about for the reward of a just deed; a just deed in itself offers a still greater return.
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the vitality of the soul and its attributes
Location: Chapter 113, Section 31
Content:
31.
Self-Command is the greatest command of all.
Let her teach me what a hallowed thing is the Justice which ever regards another’s good and seeks nothing for itself except its own employment.
It should have nothing to do with ambition and reputation; it should satisfy itself.
Let each man convince himself of this before all else—“I must be just without reward.” And that is not enough; let him convince himself also of this: “May I take pleasure in devoting myself of my own free will to uphold this noblest of virtues.” Let all his thoughts be turned as far as possible from personal interests.
You need not look about for the reward of a just deed; a just deed in itself offers a still greater return.