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L. Annaeus Seneca on Benefits by 4 BC-65 Lucius Annaeus Seneca
page 120 of 249 (48%)
of his craft, or like a trained singer whose voice cannot be heard
through the noise of those who interrupt him. I wish to repay a
kindness: after this there still remains something for me to do,
not in order that I may become grateful, but that I may discharge
my debt; for, in many cases, he who returns a kindness is
ungrateful for it, and he who does not return it is grateful. Like
all other virtues, the whole value of gratitude lies in the spirit
in which it is done; so, if this man's purpose be loyal, any
shortcomings on his part are due not to himself, but to fortune. A
man who is silent may, nevertheless, be eloquent; his hands may be
folded or even bound, and he may yet be strong; just as a pilot is
a pilot even when upon dry land, because his knowledge is complete,
and there is nothing wanting to it, though there may be obstacles
which prevent his making use of it. In the same way, a man is
grateful who only wishes to be so, and who has no one but himself
who can bear witness to his frame of mind. I will go even further
than this: a man sometimes is grateful when he appears to be
ungrateful, when ill-judging report has declared him to be so. Such
a man can look to nothing but his own conscience, which can please
him even when overwhelmed by calumny, which contradicts the mob and
common rumour, relies only upon itself, and though it beholds a
vast crowd of the other way of thinking opposed to it, does not
count heads, but wins by its own vote alone. Should it see its own
good faith meet with the punishment due to treachery, it will not
descend from its pedestal, and will remain superior to its
punishment. "I have," it says, "what I wished, what I strove for. I
do not regret it, nor shall I do so; nor shall fortune, however
unjust she may be, ever hear me say, 'What did I want? What now is
the use of having meant well?'" A good conscience is of value on
the rack, or in the fire; though fire be applied to each of our
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