George Wythe of Virginia cited Justinian's Roman law for precedents and did not emphasize British Common Law. Jefferson sought consolation in Stoic attitudes at the death of his father, sister, and wife. Works of Seneca were on a table in the room in which he died. H. Christian Ethics and Stoicism 1. Early Americans saw no fundamental contradiction.
Modern theologians reject the Stoic indifference to pain and grief.
Purpose of ethical behavior. Fame is also the reward of virtue. Contrast Christian humility. Remember how John Adams defended Cicero's vanity. But consider also the discussion of the problem of evil in the Book of Job.