mmmarcus
Articles & programsMeditationsQuotationsConceptsAuthorsBooks (public domain)TimelineMapQuizzesKey learningsBooks (for reference)About
Changer le thème
FrançaisEnglish

hello@mmmarcus.com|@mmmarcus|2026

Back to chapters

Book 7.11

Seneca•On Benefits•Book 7.11•1 min read

When, therefore, Gaius Caesar offered him two hundred thousand sesterces, he laughingly refused it, thinking it unworthy of himself to boast of having refused so small a sum. Ye gods and goddesses, what a mean mind must the emperor have had, if he hoped either to honour or to corrupt him. I must here repeat a proof of his magnanimity. I have heard that when he was expressing his wonder at the folly of Gaius at supposing that he could be influenced by such a bribe, he said, "If he meant to tempt me, he ought to have tried to do so by offering his entire kingdom."