Letter 73: On philosophers and kings
It seems to me erroneous to believe that those who have loyally dedicated themselves to philosophy are stubborn and rebellious, scorners of magistrates or kings or of those who control the administration of public affairs.
For, on the contrary, no class of man is so popular with the philosopher as the ruler is; and rightly so, because rulers bestow upon no men a greater privilege than upon those who are allowed to enjoy peace and leisure.
Hence, those who are greatly profited, as regards their purpose of right living, by the security of the State, must needs cherish as a father the author of this good; much more so, at any rate, than those restless persons who are always in the public eye, who owe much to the ruler, but also expect much from him, and are never so generously loaded with favors that their cravings, which grow by being supplied, are thoroughly satisfied.
And yet he whose thoughts are of benefits to come has forgotten the benefits received; and there is no greater evil in covetousness than its ingratitude. Besides, no man in public life thinks of the many whom he has outstripped; he thinks rather of those by whom he is outstripped.
And these men find it less pleasing to see many behind them than annoying to see anyone ahead of them. That is the trouble with every sort of ambition; it does not look back. Nor is it ambition alone that is fickle, but also every sort of craving, because it always begins where it ought to end.
—from Seneca, Moral Letters 73
I usually come across as a mousy fellow, and it is only with time that people realize how there is actually some fire in my belly. Having expected me to be a pushover, they are then shocked, and often deeply offended, to discover that I have a moral backbone, and will refuse to be their toady.
I am then dismissed with some variation of this snarky phrase: “Well, we all should have known! He’s one of those philosophers, and they can’t stand obeying the rules!”
Yet I have found that those who choose to judge for themselves, as distinct from the intellectuals who are merely putting on a show, will soon develop a deep respect for the order in things, and so will also find purpose in humble obedience. I bow to Nature for making me as I am, and I am grateful to a good master for allowing me the freedom to reflect upon the meaning and the value of my life.
No, my refusal to bend to your wishes is not a rejection of universal authority, just a rejection of your particular lust for power. We differ on what distinguishes the superior from the inferior.
I do not take the “leisure” that Seneca describes to be any sort of sloth, or the luxury of sipping tea at a garden party. Rather, I see it as not being constantly bound to the drudgery of business, the opportunity to be a thinker, not merely a producer and a consumer. Those who deserve to be our bosses understand why the human measure must go far beyond the frenzy of the marketplace.
Though some will praise a ruler for granting them influence and prosperity, their loyalty is always tentative, like that of mercenaries. They are not content with receiving a liberty of conscience, and are constantly seeking after greater winnings, never happy with what is already their own. Once their worldly profits no longer increase, they will quickly modify their allegiances.
Craving more and more, they are obsessed with competition instead of finding peace in cooperation, and they hatch cunning plans to win an advantage at the expense of others. There is no gratitude here, only a further list of demands. Oddly enough, it is the true philosopher who turns out to be reverent, while the grasping man is forever restive.
I usually come across as a mousy fellow, and it is only with time that people realize how there is actually some fire in my belly. Having expected me to be a pushover, they are then shocked, and often deeply offended, to discover that I have a moral backbone, and will refuse to be their toady.
I am then dismissed with some variation of this snarky phrase: “Well, we all should have known! He’s one of those philosophers, and they can’t stand obeying the rules!”
Yet I have found that those who choose to judge for themselves, as distinct from the intellectuals who are merely putting on a show, will soon develop a deep respect for the order in things, and so will also find purpose in humble obedience. I bow to Nature for making me as I am, and I am grateful to a good master for allowing me the freedom to reflect upon the meaning and the value of my life.
No, my refusal to bend to your wishes is not a rejection of universal authority, just a rejection of your particular lust for power. We differ on what distinguishes the superior from the inferior.
I do not take the “leisure” that Seneca describes to be any sort of sloth, or the luxury of sipping tea at a garden party. Rather, I see it as not being constantly bound to the drudgery of business, the opportunity to be a thinker, not merely a producer and a consumer. Those who deserve to be our bosses understand why the human measure must go far beyond the frenzy of the marketplace.
Though some will praise a ruler for granting them influence and prosperity, their loyalty is always tentative, like that of mercenaries. They are not content with receiving a liberty of conscience, and are constantly seeking after greater winnings, never happy with what is already their own. Once their worldly profits no longer increase, they will quickly modify their allegiances.
Craving more and more, they are obsessed with competition instead of finding peace in cooperation, and they hatch cunning plans to win an advantage at the expense of others. There is no gratitude here, only a further list of demands. Oddly enough, it is the true philosopher who turns out to be reverent, while the grasping man is forever restive.
—Reflection written in 9/2013
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