【每日斯多葛】10月2日

October 2nd  

THE MOST VALUABLE ASSET

“But the wise person can lose nothing. Such a person has everything stored up for themselves, leaving nothing to Fortune, their own goods are held firm, bound in virtue, which requires nothing from chance, and therefore can’t be either increased or diminished.”

—SENECA, ON THE FIRMNESS OF THE WISE, 5.4

Some people put their money in assets—stocks, bonds, property. Others invest in relationships or accomplishments, knowing that they can draw on these things just as easily as others can draw funds from a bank account. But a third type, Seneca says, invests in themselves—in being a good and wise person.

Which of these assets is most immune to market fluctuations and disasters? Which is most resilient in the face of trials and tribulations? Which will never abandon you? Seneca’s own life is an interesting example. He became quite wealthy as a friend of the emperor, but as Nero became more and more deranged, Seneca realized he needed to get out. He offered Nero a deal: he would give Nero all his money and return all of Nero’s gifts in exchange for complete and total freedom.

Ultimately, Nero rejected this offer, but Seneca left anyway, retiring in relative peace. But one day, the executioners came with their mortal decree. In that moment, what did Seneca rely on? It wasn’t his money. It wasn’t his friends, who, although they meant well, were a considerable source of grief and mourning. It was his virtue and inner strength.

It was Seneca’s most trying moment—his last and his finest.

10月2日  

最宝贵的资产

“但智者什么也不会失去。这样的人把一切都储存在自己身上，不把任何东西交给命运；他真正拥有的财富牢牢掌握在自己手中，被美德所系牢，而美德不依赖任何偶然，因此既不会增加，也不会减少。”

——塞内卡，《论智者的坚定》，5.4

有些人把钱投入资产——股票、债券、房产。另一些人投资于人际关系或成就，因为他们知道，自己可以从这些东西中汲取力量，就像别人可以从银行账户中提取资金一样。但塞内卡说，还有第三种人，他们投资于自己——努力成为一个善良而有智慧的人。

这些资产中，哪一种最不受市场波动和灾难的影响？哪一种在磨难与困境面前最有韧性？哪一种永远不会抛弃你？塞内卡自己的人生就是一个很有意思的例子。作为皇帝的朋友，他曾变得非常富有，但随着尼禄越来越疯狂，塞内卡意识到自己必须离开。他向尼禄提出一个条件：他愿意把全部财产交给尼禄，也归还尼禄曾赠予他的所有东西，以换取彻底而完全的自由。

最终，尼禄拒绝了这个提议，但塞内卡还是离开了，并在相对平静中退隐。然而有一天，执行死刑的人带着致命的命令来了。在那一刻，塞内卡依靠的是什么？不是他的钱。也不是他的朋友——尽管他们出于善意，但他们的悲痛和哀伤反而成为他的一大负担。真正支撑他的，是他的美德和内在力量。

那是塞内卡一生中最艰难的时刻——也是最后、最辉煌的时刻。