5 A son may oblige his father, and a servant his master.......... tention; and especially in the choice of the person........ 15 The matter of obligations, with its circumstances.............. 18 The manner of obliging ....... The difference and value of benefits... 23 29 An honest man cannot be outdone in courtesy..... 36 The question discussed, whether or no a man may give or re turn a benefit to himself..... 40 How far one man may be obliged for a benefit done to another 43 The benefactor must have no by ends........ 47 There are many cases wherein a man may be minded of a benefit, but it is very rarely to be challenged, and never to be upbraided....... 57 How far to oblige, or requite, a wicked man.... 65 A general view of the parts and duties of the benefactor........ 73 Page There can be no law against ingratitude..... Of a happy life, and wherein it consists.... Human happiness is founded upon wisdom and virtue; and first, of wisdom There can be no happiness without virtue Philosophy is the guide of life.. The force of precepts.. 101 110/ 114 121 133 145 156 No felicity like peace of conscience......... A good inan can never be miserable, nor a wicked man happy. 163 The due contemplation of divine Providence is the certain cure of all misfortunes.... 169 Of levity of mind, and other impediments of a happy life...... 179 He that sets up his rest upon contingencies, shall never be quiet 189 A sensual life is a miserable life................... 197 Avarice and ambition are insatiable and restless.......... 207 Hope and fear are the bane of human life....... 215 It is according to the true or false estimate of things, that we are happy, or miserable.......... 221 The blessings of temperance and moderation.. 226 Constancy of mind gives a man reputation, and makes him hap py in despite of all misfortunes........... 237 Our happiness depends in a great measure upon the choice of our company 251 The blessings of friendship... 257 273 He that would be happy must take an account of his time...... 263 of it........ Against immoderate sorrow for the death of friends.............. 294 301 309 Poverty, to a wise man, is rather a blessing than a misfortune.. 314 SENECA'S MORALS. BENEFITS IN GENERAL. IT is, perhaps, one of the most pernicious errors of a rash and inconsiderate life, the common ignorance of the world in the matter of exchanging benefits; and this arises from a mistake, partly in the person that we would oblige, and partly in the thing itself. To begin with the latter: a benefit is a good office, done with intention and judgment; that is to say, with a due regard to all the circumstances of what, how, why, when, where, to whom, how much, and the like. otherwise: it is a voluntary and benevolent action, that delights the giver, in the comfort it brings to the receiver. It will be hard to draw this subject, either into method or compass; the one, because of the infinite variety and complication of cases; the other, by reason of the large extent of it. For the whole business (almost) of B Or Benefits necessary, profitable, and delightful. mankind in Society falls under this head: the duties of kings and subjects; husbands and wives; parents and children; masters and servants; natives and strangers; high and low; rich and poor; strong and weak; friends and enemies. The very meditation of it breeds good blood and generous thoughts, and instructs us in all the parts of honour, humanity, friendship, piety, gratitude, prudence and justice. In short, the art and skill of conferring benefits is, of all human duties, the most absolutely necessary to the wellbeing both of reasonable nature, and of every individual, as the very cement of all communities, and the blessing of particulars. He that does good to another man, does good also to himself: not only in the consequence, but in the very act of doing it; for the conscience of well-doing is an ample reward. Of benefits in general, there are several sorts: as necessary, profitable, and delightful. Some things there are, without which we cannot live; others, without which we ought not to live; and some again, without which we will not live. In the first rank are those which deliver us from capital dangers, or apprehensions of death: and the favour is rated according to the hazard; for the greater the extremity, the greater seems the obligation. The next is a case, wherein we may indeed live, but we had better die: as in the |