Seneca · c. 4 BCE – 65 CE
On Benefits 1.8 — Seneca
Translation by Aubrey Stewart (1887)
Seneca, On Benefits 1.8
As the pupils of Socrates, each in proportion to his means, gave him large presents, Aeschines, a poor pupil, said, “I can find nothing to give you which is worthy of you; I feel my poverty in this respect alone. Therefore I present you with the only thing I possess, myself. I pray that you may take this my present, such as it is, in good part, and may remember that the others, although they gave you much, yet left for themselves more than they gave.” Socrates answered, “Surely you have bestowed a great present upon me, unless perchance you set a small value upon yourself. I will accordingly take pains to restore you to yourself a better man than when I received you.” By this present Aeschines outdid Alcibiades, whose mind was as great as his wealth, and all the splendour of the most wealthy youths of Athens.
Cite this passage
Seneca, On Benefits 1.8, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1887)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-benefits/1.8
Seneca, Dialogues, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1887–1889). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA poor student, unable to match his richer classmates' gifts to their teacher, gave the only thing he had, himself. The teacher accepted it as a great gift and promised to return him to himself a better man. The point is that a gift is measured by what it costs the giver and the spirit in which it is offered, not by its price.
Older wording
- “in good part”
- — kindly; without taking offence
- “perchance”
- — perhaps
Themes and situations
- Gratitude
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Virtue and character
- Wealth and poverty
- Learning and progress
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.