Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

68 THE FORMATION OF CHRISTENDOMhas not forgotten to praise the wish that he mightlive long enough to surpass those who did him goodand who did him evil, in the one respect and in theother. In spite of slight indications on the otherside, such as the saying ascribed to Pittacus, thatpardon is better than revenge, or an expression in theGeorgias of Plato, that if the choice be offered betweengiving or suffering offence, it were better tochoose the latter, there was a general and overwhelmingprejudice the other way. Now in Seneca,on the contrary, the idea of reconciliation groundedupon a distinct view concerning mankind is main-tained as a part of a whole system of humane principles.It is remarkable that the love of enemieshas no part in this system. Seneca stops short ofwhat without a thorough reception of the Christianspirit would be impossible.1But also against this fair view of man's dutiestowards others must be set a much less attractive viewof man's duties towards himself. If we were to takeby themselves and put together all the passages ofSeneca which speak of beneficence, kindliness to others,forbearance, avoiding anger and revenge, they wouldexpress to us a very different character from what isrevealed when man is considered with regard to hisduty towards himself. Thus the ground upon whichSeneca denounces revenge is based in fact upon asubtle egotism, which runs up from this forced exaltationof human nature into three degrees. Firstly,the wise man holds himself * free from anger o andrevenge in order t maintain the even calm of' hisown m ind. Insult must make no impression on him.Should it succeed in doing that he would not be with-1 See Ott, pp. 361-368.