Seneca · c. 4 BCE – 65 CE
On Benefits 3.20 — Seneca
Translation by Aubrey Stewart (1887)
Seneca, On Benefits 3.20
It is a mistake to imagine that slavery pervades a man’s whole being; the better part of him is exempt from it: the body indeed is subjected and in the power of a master, but the mind is independent, and indeed is so free and wild, that it cannot be restrained even by this prison of the body, wherein it is confined, from following its own impulses, dealing with gigantic designs, and soaring into the infinite, accompanied by all the host of heaven. It is, therefore, only the body which misfortune hands over to a master, and which he buys and sells; this inward part cannot be transferred as a chattel. Whatever comes from this, is free; indeed, we are not allowed to order all things to be done, nor are slaves compelled to obey us in all things; they will not carry out treasonable orders, or lend their hands to an act of crime.
Cite this passage
Seneca, On Benefits 3.20, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1887)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-benefits/3.20
Seneca, Dialogues, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1887–1889). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesEven a person whose body is owned and controlled by someone else keeps a mind that cannot be bought or sold, and whatever flows from that mind is free. Such a person will also refuse orders that amount to treason or crime, so nobody has total command over another human being.
Older wording
- “chattel”
- — a piece of property that can be owned and traded
- “treasonable”
- — betraying one's country or ruler
Themes and situations
- Freedom
- What is in our control
- Virtue and character
- Resilience and endurance
- A difficult boss
- An ethical dilemma
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