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 Reference
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]