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Single Idea 13549

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / a. External goods ]

Full Idea

Nothing bad can happen to a good man.

Gist of Idea

Nothing bad can happen to a good man

Source

Seneca the Younger (On Providence [c.60], §2)

Book Ref

Seneca: 'Dialogues and Essays', ed/tr. Davie,John [Penguin 2007], p.4

A Reaction

This is a pithy summary of a well know ancient attitude - one that is rejected by Aristotle, but defended by Socrates. It depends what you mean by 'bad' - but that is a rather modern response.

The 3 ideas from 'On Providence'

13548 The ocean changes in volume in proportion to the attraction of the moon [Seneca]
13549 Nothing bad can happen to a good man [Seneca]
13550 To be always happy is to lack knowledge of one half of nature [Seneca]