Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
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"<br />
Be<br />
"<br />
Seneca: His Character <strong>and</strong> Environment<br />
own, as <strong>of</strong>fering a sort <strong>of</strong> personal challenge or direct<br />
ing a rebuke at them which they must needs resent.<br />
Seneca was himself conscious that his life <strong>and</strong> pro<br />
fessions were sometimes irreconcilable. He says: To<br />
the student who pr<strong>of</strong>esses his wish <strong>and</strong> hope to rise<br />
to a l<strong>of</strong>tier grade <strong>of</strong> virtue, I would answer that this<br />
is my wish also, but T dare not hope it. I am pre<br />
occupied with vices. All I require <strong>of</strong> myself is, not<br />
to be equal to the best, but only to be better than the<br />
bad."<br />
On the much-debated question <strong>of</strong> Seneca s respon<br />
sibility for the vices <strong>of</strong> Nero, Merivale is probably right<br />
in saying that he must soon have become aware that<br />
it was impossible to make even a reasonably virtuous<br />
man out <strong>of</strong> his pupil. Under such circumstances it<br />
was natural for him to conclude that the best thing<br />
to be done was to allow the youth to indulge in pri<br />
vate vices in order to keep him from injuring others.<br />
The morality he impressed upon Nero, the modern<br />
writer sums up in these words: courteous <strong>and</strong><br />
moderate; shun cruelty <strong>and</strong> rapine; abstain from<br />
blood; compensate yourself with the pleasures <strong>of</strong><br />
youth without compunction; amuse yourself, but hurt<br />
no man." This principle was a dangerous one, as we<br />
now know; but it is easy to be wise after the event.<br />
A philosopher ought to have known that it is never<br />
safe to make a compromise with vice. Our philoso<br />
pher did not know it, or, knowing it, was willing to<br />
take the<br />
It is<br />
risk.<br />
doubtless some <strong>of</strong> his detractors that he has in<br />
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