IT WAS an high speech of Seneca (after the manner of the Stoics), that the good things, which belong to prosperity, are to be wished; but the good things, that belong to adversity, are to be admired. Bona rerum secundarum optabilia; adversarum mirabilia. Certainly if miracles be the command over nature, they appear most in adversity. It is yet a higher speech of his, than the other (much too high for a heathen), It is true greatness, to have in one the frailty of a man, and the security of a God. Vere magnum habere fragilitatem hominis, securitatem Dei. This would have done better in poesy, where transcendences are more allowed. And the poets indeed have been busy with it; for it is in effect the thing, which figured in that strange fiction of the ancient poets, which seemeth not to be without mystery; nay, and to have some approach to the state of a Christian; that Hercules, when he went to unbind Prometheus (by whom human nature is represented), sailed the length of the great ocean, in an earthen pot or pitcher; lively describing Christian resolution, that saileth in the frail bark of the flesh, through the waves of the world. But to speak in a mean. The virtue of prosperity, is temperance; the virtue of adversity, is fortitude; which in morals is the more heroical virtue. Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New; which carrieth the greater benediction, and the clearer revelation of God's favor. Yet even in the Old Testament, if you listen to David's harp, you shall hear as many hearse-like airs as carols; and the pencil of the Holy Ghost hath labored more in describing the afflictions of Job, than the felicities of Solomon. Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; and adversity is not without comforts and hopes. We see in needle-works and embroideries, it is more pleasing to have a lively work, upon a sad and solemn ground, than to have a dark and melancholy work, upon a lightsome ground: judge therefore of the pleasure of the heart, by the pleasure of the eye. Certainly virtue is like precious odors, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.
Seneca made a lofty statement, in the Stoic tradition. The good things that come with prosperity should be wished for. But the good things that come with adversity should be admired. Certainly, if miracles show power over nature, they appear most clearly in adversity. Another statement of his rises even higher, much too high for a pagan. True greatness is to combine human frailty with the unshakable confidence of God. This thought would have suited poetry better, where such flights of language are more freely allowed. Indeed, poets have explored it. It is essentially the idea expressed in a strange tale told by the ancient poets. The tale seems to carry a hidden meaning, even approaching the condition of a Christian. Hercules sailed across the great ocean in an earthen pot or pitcher to free Prometheus, who represents human nature. This vividly depicts Christian resolve, sailing through the world's waves in the fragile vessel of the body. But let us speak more moderately. The virtue of prosperity is self-restraint. The virtue of adversity is courage, which is morally the more heroic virtue. Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament. Adversity is the blessing of the New, carrying the greater blessing and the clearer revelation of God's favor. Yet even in the Old Testament, David's harp plays as many funeral songs as songs of joy. And the Holy Spirit has taken greater pains to describe Job's sufferings than Solomon's happiness. Prosperity brings many fears and disappointments, while adversity also brings comforts and hopes. In needlework and embroidery, a bright design on a dark, somber background is more pleasing than the reverse. A dark, gloomy design on a light background gives less pleasure. Judge the heart's pleasure, then, by the eye's pleasure. Certainly, virtue is like precious perfumes, most fragrant when burned or crushed. For prosperity reveals vice most clearly, but adversity reveals virtue most clearly.