Plain
Seneca — The Senator

So you have no reason to misunderstand the noble, brave, and inspiring words you hear from people studying wisdom. But first, notice this important difference: a student of wisdom is not the same as someone who has already perfected wisdom. The student will tell you, "I talk about wonderful ideals, but I'm still struggling with countless problems. Don't expect me to live up to everything I say just yet. Right now I'm still working on myself, shaping my character, trying to reach the level of great examples I admire. If I ever manage to accomplish everything I've set out to do, then you can demand that my actions match my words."

On the Happy Life, Section 24 81 of 101
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Seneca — The Senator Original

You have, therefore, no grounds for misunderstanding the honourable, brave, and spirited language which you hear from those who are studying wisdom: and first of all observe this, that a student of wisdom is not the same thing as a man who has made himself perfect in wisdom. The former will say to you, "In my talk I express the most admirable sentiments, yet I am still weltering amid countless ills. You must not force me to act up to my rules: at the present time I am forming myself, moulding my character, and striving to rise myself to the height of a great example. If I should ever succeed in carrying out all that I have set myself to accomplish, you may then demand that my words and deeds should correspond,"

On the Happy Life, Section 24 81 of 101
Seneca — The Senator

Think about it — a rich person's house alone offers countless chances to help others. Who says generosity is only for citizens who wear togas? Nature tells me to help all people. What does it matter if they're slaves or free? What does it matter if they were born free or earned their freedom later? What does it matter how they got their freedom — through law or private agreement? Wherever you find a human being, you find a chance to help. You can be generous right in your own home. You can practice kindness there. We don't call it "free-handedness" because it's meant for free people. We call it that because it comes from a free spirit. A wise person never wastes this kindness on worthless people. And it never runs out. Whenever the wise person finds someone worthy, the kindness flows as if the supply were endless.

On the Happy Life, Section 24 80 of 101
Doing The Right Thing Human Nature
Seneca — The Senator Original

Why, what opportunities of conferring benefits the mere house of a rich man affords? for who considers generous behaviour due only to those who wear the toga? Nature bids me do good to mankind—what difference does it make whether they be slaves or freemen, free-born or emancipated, whether their freedom be legally acquired or betowed by arrangement among friends? Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a benefit: consequently, money may be distributed even within one's own threshold, and a field may be found there for the practice of freehandedness, which is not so called because it is our duty towards free men, but because it takes its rise in a free-born mind. In the case of the wise man, this never falls upon base and unworthy recipients, and never becomes so exhausted as not, whenever it finds a worthy object, to flow as if its store was undiminished.

On the Happy Life, Section 24 80 of 101
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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