On the Happy Life, Section 25

Seneca — The Senator

Change the scene: I won't be any more miserable if my tired head rests on a bundle of hay, or if I sleep on a cushion from the circus with stuffing coming out through worn patches of cloth. So what's my preference? I'd rather show myself in public dressed in fine wool and official robes than with naked or half-covered shoulders. I'd like every day's business to turn out exactly as I wish, with new congratulations constantly following the old ones. But I won't take pride in this good fortune. Change all this luck for its opposite — let my spirit be troubled by losses, grief, and various attacks. Let no hour pass without some dispute. Even when surrounded by the greatest miseries, I won't call myself the most miserable person alive. I won't curse any particular day, because I've made sure I have no unlucky days.

Seneca — The Senator Original

Change the scene: I shall be no more miserable if my weary head rests upon a bundle of hay, if I lie upon a cushion from the circus, with all the stuffing on the point of coming out through its patches of threadbare cloth. Well, then? I prefer, as far as my feelings go, to show myself in public dressed in woollen and in robes of office, rather than with naked or half-covered shoulders: I should like every day's business to turn out just as I wish it to do, and new congratulations to be constantly following upon the former ones: yet I will not pride myself upon this: change all this good fortune for its opposite, let my spirit be distracted by losses, grief, various kinds of attacks: let no hour pass without some dispute: I shall not on this account, though beset by the greatest miseries, call myself the most miserable of beings, nor shall I curse any particular day, for I have taken care to have no unlucky days.

Seneca — The Senator

Learn this, then, since we both agree that these things are worth having: here's my reasoning for counting them among good things, and how I would behave differently toward you if I had them. Put me in charge of a very rich man's house. Put me where gold and silver dishes are used for everyday meals. I won't think more of myself because of things that, even though they're in my house, are not really part of me. Take me away to the wooden bridge and set me down among the beggars. I won't despise myself because I'm sitting among people who hold out their hands for coins. What does it matter if I lack a piece of bread when I don't lack the power to die? So then? I prefer the magnificent house to the beggar's bridge. Put me among beautiful furniture and all the tools of luxury. I won't think myself any happier because my cloak is soft, or because my guests rest on purple cushions.

Seneca — The Senator Original

Learn, then, since we both agree that they are desirable, what my reason is amongst counting them among good things, and in what respects I should behave differently to you if I possessed them. Place me as master in the house of a very rich man: place me where gold and silver plate is used for the commonest purposes; I shall not think more of myself because of things which even though they are in my house are yet no part of me. Take me away to the wooden bridge[5] and put me down there among the beggars: I shall not despise myself because I am sitting among those who hold out their hands for alms: for what can the lack of a piece of bread matter to one who does not lack the power of dying? Well, then? I prefer the magnificent house to the beggar's bridge. Place me among magnificent furniture and all the appliances of luxury: I shall not think myself any happier because my cloak is soft, because my guests rest upon purple.