Stoicism - College of Stoic Philosophers

164 STOICISM.It has been remarked with justice that in thispassage the author " only represents the conflict ofman with nature, and it is true that in confrontingnature only two alternatives are possible, action orsilence ; protest is not to be thoughtof. This is notso true when we have to face human injustice ;theredefiance is meritorious. What could the Baconian ofMacaulay have done had he been in the place ofSeneca? What was the operation possible to curethe world of Nero ? Itmay be said, that it was theinsurrection of Vindex ;and that is true, but Vindexdid not and could not act at once. It was needfulfirst that the world should be weary of the master ithad borne with so long. Physical evils are felt andrecognised directly, it is not so with that moralpoison of which nations die ; they must first be madeto feel that they are ill,and that is the first steptowards the cure. That is just what Seneca did,and his so-called declamations certainly contributedto cause that universal impatience which broughtabout deliverance." ^The opulence of Seneca, contrasted with hispraisesof contented poverty, has often moved the spleen ofcritics, as among others of Macaulay. Was it, besides,then becomeill-gotten wealth, the rhetorical phrasesstill more hollow and insincere. But as to its sourcewe have no certain evidence. He came of a familyof ample means ;his talents as an advocate broughthim large professional gains ;but above all the favour•E. Havet, " Le Christianisme et ses Origines," ii. 254.