Moral Letter 17: On Philosophy and Riches

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"Why, then, should you reject Philosophy as a comrade? 

Even the rich man copies her ways when he is in his senses. If you wish to have leisure for your mind, either be a poor man, or resemble a poor man. Study cannot be helpful unless you take pains to live simply; and living simply is voluntary poverty. Away, then, with all excuses like: 'I have not yet enough; when I have gained the desired amount, then I shall devote myself wholly to philosophy.' And yet this ideal, which you are putting off and placing second to other interests, should be secured first of all; you should begin with it. You retort: 'I wish to acquire something to live on.' Yes, but learn while you are acquiring it; for if anything forbids you to live nobly, nothing forbids you to die nobly. 

There is no reason why poverty should call us away from philosophy, – no, nor even actual want. For when hastening after wisdom, we must endure even hunger. Men have endured hunger when their towns were besieged, and what other reward for their endurance did they obtain than that they did not fall under the conqueror's power? How much greater is the promise of the prize of everlasting liberty, and the assurance that we need fear neither God nor man! Even though we starve, we must reach that goal. 

Armies have endured all manner of want, have lived on roots, and have resisted hunger by means of food too revolting to mention. All this they have suffered to gain a kingdom, and, – what is more marvellous, – to gain a kingdom that will be another's. Will any man hesitate to endure poverty, in order that he may free his mind from madness?

Therefore one should not seek to lay up riches first; one may attain to philosophy, however, even without money for the journey."  (Seneca)

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