This is from "On Benefits", book 2.33.2. In that section of the book Seneca is making the point that the type of obligation which consists in doing something good for someone (benefitting that someone) can only be called complete if the person receiving the benefit is grateful for it. He is not making a general point about the importance of completing our work.
Hi Jannik, you're right that it's possible to argue that I'm taking Seneca's words out of context here for the purpose of inspiring people to virtuous action. But what do you think Seneca would have preferred? He wrote many times in favor of using philosophy to inspire people to live better lives and become better people and he was very critical of quibblers of words! Perhaps Seneca didn't intend the precise meaning that I have given this passage by selecting "completing your work" as the title--although I could also make arguments to the contrary--but given that he devoted himself to guiding people to virtue, I believe this post continues his mission. In any case, it continues my mission of helping people to live a good life.
In which sense do you think that it aligns with Stoicism to claim that we should complete our work? All of the classic Stoics constantly emphasized that virtue is in the effort. Not in the outcome.
"the wise person considers intention, rather than outcome, in every situation. The beginnings are in our power; the results are judged by fortune, to which I grant no jurisdiction over myself."
This is from "On Benefits", book 2.33.2. In that section of the book Seneca is making the point that the type of obligation which consists in doing something good for someone (benefitting that someone) can only be called complete if the person receiving the benefit is grateful for it. He is not making a general point about the importance of completing our work.
Hi Jannik, you're right that it's possible to argue that I'm taking Seneca's words out of context here for the purpose of inspiring people to virtuous action. But what do you think Seneca would have preferred? He wrote many times in favor of using philosophy to inspire people to live better lives and become better people and he was very critical of quibblers of words! Perhaps Seneca didn't intend the precise meaning that I have given this passage by selecting "completing your work" as the title--although I could also make arguments to the contrary--but given that he devoted himself to guiding people to virtue, I believe this post continues his mission. In any case, it continues my mission of helping people to live a good life.
In which sense do you think that it aligns with Stoicism to claim that we should complete our work? All of the classic Stoics constantly emphasized that virtue is in the effort. Not in the outcome.
"the wise person considers intention, rather than outcome, in every situation. The beginnings are in our power; the results are judged by fortune, to which I grant no jurisdiction over myself."
- Seneca, Letters 14.16