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Full Idea
Wealth is not a good; for it it was, it would make men good.
Gist of Idea
If wealth was a good, it would make men good
Source
Seneca the Younger (On the Happy Life [c.60], §24)
Book Ref
Seneca: 'Dialogues and Essays', ed/tr. Davie,John [Penguin 2007], p.106
A Reaction
An immediately attractive argument, but should we assume that anything which is good will enhance our personal goodness? If goodness is a habit, then continual pursuit of wealth is the test case to examine. Seneca is right!
Related Idea
Idea 13564 There is far more scope for virtue if you are wealthy; poverty only allows endurance [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] |