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L. Annaeus Seneca on Benefits by 4 BC-65 Lucius Annaeus Seneca
page 83 of 249 (33%)
transferred as a chattel. Whatever comes from this, is free;
indeed, we are not allowed to order all things to be done, nor are
slaves compelled to obey us in all things; they will not carry out
treasonable orders, or lend their hands to an act of crime.

XXI. There are some things which the law neither enjoins nor
forbids; it is in these that a slave finds the means of bestowing
benefits. As long as we only receive what is generally demanded
from a slave, that is mere service; when more is given than a slave
need afford us, it is a benefit; as soon as what he does begins to
partake of the affection of a friend, it can no longer be called
service. There are certain things with which a master is bound to
provide his slave, such as food and clothing; no one calls this a
benefit; but supposing that he indulges his slave, educates him
above his station, teaches him arts which free-born men learn, that
is a benefit. The converse is true in the case of the slave;
anything which goes beyond the rules of a slave's duty, which is
done of his own free will, and not in obedience to orders, is a
benefit, provided it be of sufficient importance to be called by
such a name if bestowed by any other person.

XXII. It has pleased Chrysippus to define a slave as "a hireling
for life." Just as a hireling bestows a benefit when he does more
than he engaged himself to do, so when a slave's love for his
master raises him above his condition and urges him to do something
noble--something which would be a credit even to men more fortunate
by birth--he surpasses the hopes of his master, and is a benefit
found in the house. Do you think it is just that we should be angry
with our slaves when they do less than their duty, and that we
should not be grateful to them when they do more? Do you wish to
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