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Single Idea 13318

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / b. Living naturally ]

Full Idea

Nature does not give a man virtue; the process of becoming a good man is an art. ...Virtue only comes to a character which has been thoroughly schooled and trained and brought to a pitch of perfection by unremitting practice.

Gist of Idea

Nature doesn't give us virtue; we must unremittingly pursue it, as a training and an art

Source

Seneca the Younger (Letters from a Stoic [c.60], 090)

Book Ref

Seneca: 'Letters from a Stoic (Selections)', ed/tr. Campbell,Robin [Penguin 1969], p.176


A Reaction

This is an important gloss from a leading stoic on the slogan of 'live according to nature'. One might say that the natural life must be 'tracked' (as Philip Larkin says we track happiness). The natural life is, above all, the rational life, for stoics.


The 8 ideas with the same theme [stoic attitude that virtue is natural living]:

Panaetius said we should live according to our natural starting-points [Panaetius, by Asmis]
Nature doesn't give us virtue; we must unremittingly pursue it, as a training and an art [Seneca]
Living contrary to nature is like rowing against the stream [Seneca]
The art of life is more like the wrestler's than the dancer's [Aurelius]
To live according to reason is to live according to the laws of human nature [Spinoza]
Be natural! But how, if one happens to be "unnatural"? [Nietzsche]
Not "return to nature", for there has never yet been a natural humanity [Nietzsche]
'Love your enemy' is unnatural, for the natural law says 'love your neighbour and hate your enemy' [Nietzsche]