On Peace of Mind, Section 3 — In Plain English

Seneca — The Senator

Which does more good? The judge who settles disputes between foreigners and citizens? The one who reads sentences that his clerk wrote for him? Or the man who teaches people what justice really means — along with loyalty, endurance, courage, acceptance of death, and understanding of the divine? The man who shows them how much a clear conscience helps?

If you take the time you would spend in public office and give it to philosophy instead, you're not deserting your duty. You're not avoiding your proper work. A soldier isn't just someone who stands in formation and defends the army's flanks. He's also the one who guards the gates — a job that's safer but still demanding. He keeps watch. He manages the weapons. These are all peaceful duties, but they still count as military service.

Seneca — The Senator Original

Which does the most good, he who decides between foreigners and citizens (as praetor peregrinus), or, as praetor urbanus, pronounces sentence to the suitors in his court at his assistant's dictation, or he who shows them what is meant by justice, filial feeling, endurance, courage, contempt of death and knowledge of the gods, and how much a man is helped by a good conscience? If then you transfer to philosophy the time which you take away from the public service, you will not be a deserter or have refused to perform your proper task. A soldier is not merely one who stands in the ranks and defends the right or the left wing of the army, but he also who guards the gates—a service which, though less dangerous, is no sinecure—who keeps watch, and takes charge of the arsenal: though all these are bloodless duties, yet they count as military service.