THE EPISTLES OF SENECA

if it is full; it is filled, however, when the soul has rendered its own good to itself and has transferred the power of itself to itself. What do eighty years spent in inactivity help a man? That man did not live, but merely tarried in life, and he did not die late, but lived for a long time. He lived for eighty years. It matters from what day you count his death. But he died in his prime. Yet he fulfilled the duties of a good citizen, a good friend, a good son; in no part did he falter. Though his age may be incomplete, his life is complete. He lived for eighty years. Or rather, he existed for eighty years, unless perhaps you say he lived in the way that trees are said to live.

I beg you, Lucilius, let us ensure this: that, just as with precious things, our life may not extend much in length, but may hang heavy in weight. Let us measure it by action, not by time. Do you wish to know the difference between this man who is vigorous, a despiser of fortune, who has fulfilled all the duties of human life and has been elevated to the highest good For a complete definition of the Supreme Good cf. Ep. lxxi. 4 ff., and that man to whom many years have been granted? The former exists even after death; the latter perished before death See Ep. lx. 4: "they preceded their own death.".

5 Therefore, let us praise and place in the number of the happy man him to whom the time he had, however little, was well allocated. For he saw the true light. He was not