‘I’m glad to hear, from these people who’ve been visiting you, that you live on friendly terms with your slaves. It is just what one expects of an enlightened, cultivated person like yourself. ‘They’re slaves,’ people say. No. They’re human beings. “They’re slaves.’ But they share the same roof as ourselves.’ They’re slaves.’ No, they’re friends, humble friends.’ They’re slaves.’ Strictly speaking they’re our fellow-slaves, if you once reflect that fortune has as much power over us as them.
– – –
… the essence of the advice I’d like to give is this: treat your inferiors in the way in which you would like to be treated by your own superiors. ”
– Letter from Seneca to the boy that would become Emperor Nero
Our fellow-slaves
