Seneca · c. 4 BCE – 65 CE
On Benefits 6.13 ¶1 — Seneca
Translation by Aubrey Stewart (1887)
Seneca, On Benefits 6.13 ¶1
On the other hand, I am not so unjust as to feel no gratitude to a man, because, while helping me, he helped himself also; for I do not insist upon his consulting my interests to the exclusion of his own—nay, I should prefer that the benefit which I receive may be of even greater advantage to the giver, provided that he thought of us both when giving it, and meant to divide it between me and himself. Even should he possess the larger portion of it, still, if he admits me to a share, if he meant it for both of us, I am not only unjust but ungrateful, if I do not rejoice in what has benefited me benefiting him also. It is the essence of spitefulness to say that nothing can be a benefit which does not cause some inconvenience to the giver.
Cite this passage
Seneca, On Benefits 6.13 ¶1, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1887)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-benefits/6.13.1
Seneca, Dialogues, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1887–1889). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesDo not refuse to feel grateful just because the person who helped you gained something too. It is petty to insist that a favour only counts if it cost the giver, and it is better to rejoice that something good for you was good for them as well.
Themes and situations
- Gratitude
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Justice and fairness
Quote cards
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