Quote by Seneca (Seneca the Elder)

What madness it is for a man to starve himself to enrich his heir, and so turn a friend into an enemy! For his joy at your death will be proportioned to what you leave him.

What madness it is for a man to starve himself to enrich his

Summary

This quote suggests that it is foolish and absurd for someone to deprive themselves of basic needs or live in poverty in an attempt to accumulate wealth for their heirs. By doing so, they risk transforming someone who is supposed to be their friend into an enemy. The quote highlights the paradox that the joy someone feels upon the death of a wealthy individual will be directly proportional to the inheritance they receive. Essentially, it emphasizes the futility of sacrificing one's own well-being in the pursuit of material wealth and the potential consequences of such actions on relationships.

Topics

Service

By Seneca (Seneca the Elder)

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