SENECA - College of Stoic Philosophers

EPISTLE XC.
these days, however, our houses constitute a large
portion of our dread.
But no matter how excellent and guileless was
the life of the men of that age, they were not wise
men ;
for that title is reserved for the highest
achievement. Still, I would not deny that they
were men of lofty spirit
and if I
may use the
phrase fresh from the gods. For there is no doubt
that the world produced a better progeny before it
was yet worn out. However, not all were endowed
with mental faculties of highest perfection, though
in all cases their native powers were more sturdy
than ours and more fitted for toil. For nature does
not bestow virtue ;
it is an art to become good.
They, at least, searched not in the lowest dregs of
the earth for gold, nor yet for silver or transparent
stones ;
and they
still were merciful even
to the dumb animals - - so far removed was that
epoch from the custom of slaying man by man, not
in anger or through fear, but just to make a show !
They had as yet no embroidered garments nor did
they weave cloth of gold gold was not yet even
;
mined.
What, then, is the conclusion of the matter ? It
was by reason of their ignorance of things that the
men of those days were innocent ;
and it makes a
great deal of difference whether one wills not to sin
or has not the knowledge to sin. a Justice was unknown
to them, unknown prudence, unknown also
self-control and bravery but their rude life ;
possessed
certain qualities akin to all these virtues. Virtue is
not vouchsafed to a soul unless that soul has been
trained and taught, and by unremitting practice
brought to perfection. For the attainment of this
boon, but not in the possession of it, were we born ;
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