On Benefits

by Lucius Annaeus Seneca Narrated by George Easton

Overview

In 'On Benefits', Seneca delves into the art of giving and receiving, crafting a timeless discourse on the ethics of generosity. Lucid and profound, this treatise examines not just the act, but the intent behind kindness, and the bonds it forms or breaks within society. Seneca's exploration extends to gratitude, its importance, and its challenges, making this work a philosophical gem on the nuances of benevolence and its reverberating effects on human connections and moral obligations.

Editorial Reviews

Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

[Griffin and Inwood’s translation] is elegant, flowing, and for the most part highly readable. . . . Ultimately, the beauty of Seneca’s text is his alone, and one must enjoy his style, rhetorical twists, and intricacy of thought in the original. But for those who cannot, Griffin and Inwood’s translation is the next best thing!

Phronesis

An excellent volume in every way. Seneca’s essay has a potential interest for readers going far beyond scholars and students of ancient philosophy, and all those involved have, clearly, made every attempt to make this volume highly accessible and informative. I can think of no translators better qualified to tackle this text, and the end product entirely justifies their efforts.

Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Griffin and Inwood’s work breathes new life into Seneca's essential text, which has been neglected for too long.”

America

Beautifully introduced and translated by Griffin and Inwood. . . . [On Benefits] reveals much about how elite members of Roman society interacted and what they regarded as important.

Choice

The translation is excellent: Seneca’s Latin is not easy, and the translators successfully turn it into English that is true to the Latin and enjoyable to read.”

From the Publisher

"Griffin and Inwood's work breathes new life into Seneca's essential text, which has been neglected for too long."

-- "Bryn Mawr Classical Review"

"The translation is excellent: Seneca's Latin is not easy, and the translators successfully turn it into English that is true to the Latin and enjoyable to read."

-- "Choice"

"[Griffin and Inwood's translation] is elegant, flowing, and for the most part highly readable. . . . Ultimately, the beauty of Seneca's text is his alone, and one must enjoy his style, rhetorical twists, and intricacy of thought in the original. But for those who cannot, Griffin and Inwood's translation is the next best thing!"-- "Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews"

"An excellent volume in every way. Seneca's essay has a potential interest for readers going far beyond scholars and students of ancient philosophy, and all those involved have, clearly, made every attempt to make this volume highly accessible and informative. I can think of no translators better qualified to tackle this text, and the end product entirely justifies their efforts."-- "Phronesis"

"Beautifully introduced and translated by Griffin and Inwood. . . . [On Benefits] reveals much about how elite members of Roman society interacted and what they regarded as important."-- "America"

America

Beautifully introduced and translated by Griffin and Inwood. . . . [On Benefits] reveals much about how elite members of Roman society interacted and what they regarded as important.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940191577708
Publisher:	Interactive Media
Publication date:	03/22/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged

Read an Excerpt

Hia become one of the adulterers, was exiled and sent banish- into Corsica, I will not say whether it were upon m a just cause, I could wish it were not, and happily Tacitus with me, who when he speaketh of his banishment, ' Seneca was angry with Claudius it was supposed by reason of the injury that was done him.' Note this injury ; he therefore had received some. For who would otherwise be ignorant to interpret the accusations of that impudent harlot (I mean Messaline) and that my son beast Claudius ? For, for the most part they practised no mischief but against good and innocent persons. He lived about some eight years or thereabouts in exile, ay, and constantly too ; yea if we may believe himself, happily intending only the best studies, and the wholesomest meditations. For thus writeth he to his mother, that he is blessed amongst those things which are wont to make other men wretched. And afterwards (but I pray thee observe him) he worthily philosophieth, he addeth in the end and rouseth him self, Conceive what thou shouldest, think me to be joyful and addressed as it were in the best fortunes. But they are the best whenas the mind devoid of all thought intendeth him self, and sometimes delighteth him self in lighter studies, and sometimes mounteth into the consideration of the nature of him self and the whole world being desirous of truth. O man, O honest words which the author of Octavia's tragedy would imitate : for it was not he (God forbid) in these verses in the person of Seneca: ' Far better lay I hid, removed far From envy's storms amidst the Corsic shores, Whereas my mind was far from any jar Fixt on my studies, not on earthly powers : O what content had I! for never nature Allusions Mother of all things, mistress of each creature, in his Could grant no...

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