On the superficial blessings
115:15
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.
16.
For one must pay the penalty for all greedy acts; although the greed is enough of a penalty in itself.
What tears and toil does money wring from us!
Greed is wretched in that which it craves and wretched in that which it wins!
Think besides of the daily worry which afflicts every possessor in proportion to the measure of his gain!
The possession of riches means even greater agony of spirit than the acquisition of riches.
And how we sorrow over our losses—losses which fall heavily upon us, and yet seem still more heavy!
And finally, though Fortune may leave our property intact, whatever we cannot gain in addition, is sheer loss!
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the superficial blessings
Location: Chapter 115, Section 15
Content:
16.
For one must pay the penalty for all greedy acts; although the greed is enough of a penalty in itself.
What tears and toil does money wring from us!
Greed is wretched in that which it craves and wretched in that which it wins!
Think besides of the daily worry which afflicts every possessor in proportion to the measure of his gain!
The possession of riches means even greater agony of spirit than the acquisition of riches.
And how we sorrow over our losses—losses which fall heavily upon us, and yet seem still more heavy!
And finally, though Fortune may leave our property intact, whatever we cannot gain in addition, is sheer loss!