“May be is very well, but Must is the master. It is my duty to show justice without recompense.”
- c. 4 BC – AD 65
- Roman
- Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist, Stoic Thinker, Advisor to Emperor Nero
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Quote
“May be is very well, but Must is the master. It is my duty to show justice without recompense.”
Explanation
Moral obligation overrides personal convenience or uncertainty. Seneca the Younger draws a distinction between optional action (“may be”) and moral necessity (“must”), asserting that true virtue lies in doing what is right—not because it is easy, profitable, or optional, but because it is a duty. When it comes to justice, there is no room for hesitation or self-interest.
This statement reflects the Stoic emphasis on duty and moral clarity. For Seneca, justice must be rendered impartially and without expectation of reward, because it is good in itself. To act justly is not a favor, but a requirement of virtue. The moment justice is given conditionally, it ceases to be justice and becomes a transaction. The Stoic sage does what is right because it is right—not because it pays.
In today’s world, where justice is often entangled with politics, power, or profit, this quote serves as a powerful ethical reminder. Integrity demands action even when it costs us something, and especially when we gain nothing. Seneca’s words call us to be governed not by convenience or outcome, but by principle and the uncompromising “must” of moral responsibility.
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