“It is another’s fault if he be ungrateful, but it is mine if I do not give. To find one thankful man, I will oblige a great many that are not so.”
- c. 4 BC – AD 65
- Roman
- Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist, Stoic Thinker, Advisor to Emperor Nero
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Quote
“It is another’s fault if he be ungrateful, but it is mine if I do not give. To find one thankful man, I will oblige a great many that are not so.”
Explanation
Seneca here makes a clear distinction between the virtue of giving and the response of the recipient. In Stoic ethics, the moral value of an action lies in the intent and integrity of the giver, not in the reaction it receives. If someone responds to generosity with ingratitude, that reflects on their character—not the giver’s. The responsibility to give, to act virtuously, remains ours regardless of how others behave.
Seneca’s words reveal a powerful Stoic principle: we should do good because it is right, not because it is rewarded. The phrase “To find one thankful man, I will oblige a great many that are not so” demonstrates his commitment to persevering in generosity, even when most people fail to appreciate it. This reflects moral resilience—the idea that we must continue to act nobly, even in a world full of ingratitude.
This mindset is especially relevant today, in a world where kindness is often transactional or discouraged by cynicism. Whether in charity, mentorship, or simple acts of help, the worth of our actions is not diminished by thanklessness. Seneca teaches us to anchor our goodness in principle, not in praise, and to continue giving—not for applause, but because it is who we choose to be.
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