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Seneca explains why it makes no sense to pass laws to enforce virtuous behavior, such as some modern laws against marital infidelity. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Being always intent upon new objects of desire, we think, not of what we have, but of what we are striving to obtain. Those whose mind is fixed entirely upon what they hope to gain, regard with contempt all that is their own already. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

They call the gods neglectful of us because we have not been given health which even our vices cannot destroy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Ingratitude is caused by excessive self-esteem, by that fault innate in all mortals, of taking a partial view of ourselves and our own acts, by greed, or by jealousy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Someone may be a worthy person for me to receive a benefit from, but it will hurt them to give it. For this reason I will not receive it, because they are ready to help me to their own prejudice, or even danger. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

No one incurs any obligation by receiving what it was not in his power to refuse; if you want to know whether I wish to take it, arrange matters so that I have the power of saying ‘No.’ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

As we refuse cold water to the sick, or swords to the grief-stricken or remorseful, so must we persist in refusing to give anything whatever that is hurtful, although our friends earnestly and humbly beg for it. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

You should be satisfied with the approval of your own conscience; if not, you do not really delight in doing good, but in being seen to do good. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Since no impulse of the human mind can be approved of, even though it springs from a right feeling, unless it be made into a virtue by discretion, I forbid generosity to degenerate into extravagance. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

The next point to be defined is, what kind of benefits are to be given, and in what manner. First let us give what is necessary, next what is useful, and then what is pleasant, provided that they be lasting. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Our ancestors before us have lamented, and our children after us will lament, as we do, the ruin of morality, the prevalence of vice, and the gradual deterioration of mankind; yet these things are really stationary. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that virtue ethics is about motivations and the improvement of one's character, not just about material help, as much as the latter may be needed. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

What value has the crown in itself? or the purple-bordered robe? or the judgment-seat and car of triumph? None of these things is in itself an honour, but is an emblem of honour. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Do not grow weary, perform your duty, and act as becomes a good person. Help one with money, another with credit, another with your favor; this one with good advice, that one with sound maxims. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

The book-keeping of benefits is simple: it is all expenditure; if any one returns it, that is clear gain; if he does not return it, it is not lost, I gave it for the sake of giving. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

It is the property of a great and good mind to covet, not the fruit of good deeds, but good deeds themselves. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Let us bestow benefits, not put them out at interest. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Among the numerous faults of those who pass their lives recklessly and without due reflexion, I should say that there is hardly any one so hurtful to society as this, that we neither know how to bestow or how to receive a benefit. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Atilius Regulus in his second consulship was taken prisoner in Africa by the stratagem of Xanthippus, a Spartan general serving under the command of Hannibal’s father Hamilcar. … --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Pray, tell me, does it coincide with the character of your good person to lie for their own profit, to slander, to overreach, to deceive? Nay, verily; anything but that! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support