Stoic Meditations

Nature bestows upon us all this immense advantage, that the light of virtue shines into the minds of all alike; even those who do not follow her, behold her. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca makes an argument that we have a duty to help others based on the providential nature of the universe. But the universe does not have a providential nature. Fortunately, there is a way to rescue Seneca's conclusion. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

If you were to call God Fate, you would not lie; for since fate is nothing more than a connected chain of causes, he is the first cause of all upon which all the rest depend. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca, though he acknowledges that women are perfectly capable of virtue, characterizes Epicureans as "effeminate." And in today's passage he comes across as far more critical of Epicurus than he is usually regarded to be. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

It is not a good thing to live, but to live well. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Whereby Seneca displays a bit too casual of an attitude toward slavery, a particular instance of a broader problem for Stoicism when it comes to social and political issues. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

No day is appointed for repayment of a benefit, as there is for borrowed money; consequently he who has not yet repaid a benefit may do so hereafter: for tell me, pray, within what time a person is to be declared ungrateful? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca explains why it makes no sense to pass laws to enforce virtuous behavior, such as some modern laws against marital infidelity. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Being always intent upon new objects of desire, we think, not of what we have, but of what we are striving to obtain. Those whose mind is fixed entirely upon what they hope to gain, regard with contempt all that is their own already. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

They call the gods neglectful of us because we have not been given health which even our vices cannot destroy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Ingratitude is caused by excessive self-esteem, by that fault innate in all mortals, of taking a partial view of ourselves and our own acts, by greed, or by jealousy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Someone may be a worthy person for me to receive a benefit from, but it will hurt them to give it. For this reason I will not receive it, because they are ready to help me to their own prejudice, or even danger. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

No one incurs any obligation by receiving what it was not in his power to refuse; if you want to know whether I wish to take it, arrange matters so that I have the power of saying ‘No.’ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

As we refuse cold water to the sick, or swords to the grief-stricken or remorseful, so must we persist in refusing to give anything whatever that is hurtful, although our friends earnestly and humbly beg for it. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

You should be satisfied with the approval of your own conscience; if not, you do not really delight in doing good, but in being seen to do good. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Since no impulse of the human mind can be approved of, even though it springs from a right feeling, unless it be made into a virtue by discretion, I forbid generosity to degenerate into extravagance. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

The next point to be defined is, what kind of benefits are to be given, and in what manner. First let us give what is necessary, next what is useful, and then what is pleasant, provided that they be lasting. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Our ancestors before us have lamented, and our children after us will lament, as we do, the ruin of morality, the prevalence of vice, and the gradual deterioration of mankind; yet these things are really stationary. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that virtue ethics is about motivations and the improvement of one's character, not just about material help, as much as the latter may be needed. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

What value has the crown in itself? or the purple-bordered robe? or the judgment-seat and car of triumph? None of these things is in itself an honour, but is an emblem of honour. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support