The workes of Lucius Annæus Seneca, both morrall and naturall Containing, 1. His bookes of benefites. 2. His epistles. 3. His booke of prouidence. 4. Three bookes of anger. 5. Two bookes of clemencie. 6. His booke of a blessed life. 7. His booke of the tranquilitie of the minde. 8. His booke of the constancie of a wiseman. 9. His booke of the shortnesse of life. 10. Two bookes of consolation to Martia. 11. Three bookes of consolation to Heluia. 12. His booke of consolation to Polibius. 13. His seuen bookes of naturall questions. Translated by Tho. Lodge, D. in Physicke.

CHAP. XII.

SOmething therefore may be giuen to a wise-man, although all things be his: so likewise nothing letteth but that something may be giuen to a friend, though we say that all things are common a∣mongst friends. For in such sort are not all things common be∣twixt me and my friend, as they are with a partner, so as my part and his should be all one: but as children are common to their fathers and mo∣thers, who hauing two betwixt them, haue not each of them one, but two a peice. First of all I will make him know whatsoeuer hee be that will be co-partner with me, that there is nothing common betwixt him and me: and why? because this association cannot be but amongst wise-men, who onely vn∣derstand and practise the vse of true friendship•• the other are no more friends then they be co-partners. Againe, goods are common in diuers kindes. The sieges in the Theater ordained for Knights, appertaine to all the Knights of Rome; and yet in these, the place that I sate in is mine owne. If I haue yeelded vp my place to any, although I giue him place in a thing c••mmon to all, yet see∣meth it that I haue giuen him somewhat. There are things which appertaine to some men, vnder certaine conditions: I haue my place amongst the Knights, not to sell, not to hire, nor to possesse continually; but onely to this end, to be∣hold the publik sports. I shal not therfore lie, if I say I haue a place amongst the knights; but when I come into the Theater, if the place•• be all taken vp, yet in right haue I a place there, because it is lawfull for me to sit there: and I haue it not because it is occupied by those, who haue as much title to the place as my selfe. Suppose the care is the same amongst friends. Whatsoeuer our friend ••ath is common to vs, yet the propertie is his that possesseth it: I cannot vse it

against his will. Thou mockest me (sayest thou) if that which appertaineth to my friend be mine, I haue libertie to sell the same: but I haue no libertie; for thou canst not sell my Knights place, yet is it common to thee, with those of the same order. It is no argument therefore that a thing is not thine, because thou canst not sell it, because thou mayest not consume it, because thou mayest not change it for worse or better: for it is thine, although it be thine but vpon a condition. I haue taken the place, yet hast thou it neuerthelesse.