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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 Ref
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]
| 13557 | Unfortunately the majority do not tend to favour what is best [Seneca] |
| 13558 | The supreme good is harmony of spirit [Seneca] |
| 13559 | I seek virtue, because it is its own reward [Seneca] |
| 13560 | A wise man is not subservient to anything [Seneca] |
| 13561 | Virtue is always moderate, so excess need not be feared [Seneca] |
| 13562 | It is shameful to not even recognise your own slaves [Seneca] |
| 13563 | Why does your wife wear in her ears the income of a wealthy house? [Seneca] |
| 13564 | There is far more scope for virtue if you are wealthy; poverty only allows endurance [Seneca] |
| 13565 | If wealth was a good, it would make men good [Seneca] |