Single Idea 13564

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / c. Wealth]

Full Idea

What doubt can there be that the wise man has greater scope for displaying his powers if he is rich than if he is poor, since in the case of poverty only one kind of virtue exists - refusal to be bowed down and crushed.

Gist of Idea

There is far more scope for virtue if you are wealthy; poverty only allows endurance

Source

Seneca the Younger (On the Happy Life [c.60], §22)

Book Reference

Seneca: 'Dialogues and Essays', ed/tr. Davie,John [Penguin 2007], p.103


A Reaction

It is against this view that I see Jesus proposing poverty as central to virtue. But then he has the surprising view (to Seneca) that humility is a virtue. What Nietzsche calls the slaves' inversion of values.

Related Idea

Idea 13565 If wealth was a good, it would make men good [Seneca]