"In the end, we reach the same conclusion about all the gifts of Fortune. They are not worth striving for; there is nothing in their natures which is good; they are not always possessed by good men, nor do they make those good who possess them." (Book II, Prose 6, p. 30)
Philosophy would seem here to discount even the striving for that which is a) diluted in value by being attainable for the wrong reasons, b) bear no intrinsic value in and of themselves, but rather are perhaps the means to achieve good rather than the ends, and c) are not enduring. While I can buy the understanding that they not only do not guarantee happiness nor goodness and they are not to be depended upon, that they should not be held as some goal within this lifetime is not quite clear.
In quick reading of Prose 7, this may become a bit clearer as to what this all means in the individual and to his world.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
Makes me think of the intense focus these days on money. “Writing is business.” The almighty bottom line. And of course the ubiquitous, “It’s not personal, it’s just business.”
Implying that money is what life is about, when in fact life is what it’s about. Money’s just a tool of trade to buy things, which seldom fulfill the promises made by those who tell us we can’t live without them.
Living each day in pursuit of life itself, in all its richness is much more rewarding than constant striving for money or things, once one’s basic needs are met. Often we’re too focused on the goal to enjoy the journey.