Letter 119 — On Nature as Our Best Provider (§16)

“Let us therefore use this boon of Nature by reckoning it among the things of high importance; let us reflect that Nature’s best title to our gratitude is that whatever we want because of sheer necessity we accept without squeamishness. Farewell. ↑ Seneca here reverts to the money-metaphors of Epp. i.–xxxiii.—lucellum, munusculum, diurna mercedula, etc. ↑ Frag. p. 79 Iordan. ↑ i.e., “something for one’s spare time”; cf. Ep. liii. 8 note, non est quod precario philosopheris. ↑ i.e., of common earthenware. ↑ i.e., had got my coffers ready for the promised wealth. ↑ Alexander the Great. ↑ i.e., a “poverty” which is never satisfied. ↑ Horace, Sat. i. 2. 114 ff.”