On the usefulness of basic principles
95:48
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.
49.
And what reason have the gods for doing deeds of kindness?
It is their nature.
One who thinks that they are unwilling to do harm, is wrong; they cannot do harm.
They cannot receive or inflict injury; for doing harm is in the same category as suffering harm.
The universal nature, all-glorious and all-beautiful, has rendered incapable of inflicting ill those whom it has removed from the danger of ill.
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the usefulness of basic principles
Location: Chapter 95, Section 48
Content:
49.
And what reason have the gods for doing deeds of kindness?
It is their nature.
One who thinks that they are unwilling to do harm, is wrong; they cannot do harm.
They cannot receive or inflict injury; for doing harm is in the same category as suffering harm.
The universal nature, all-glorious and all-beautiful, has rendered incapable of inflicting ill those whom it has removed from the danger of ill.