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Moral Letters Vol II

Seneca

§ Section 36

On various aspects of virtue

66:36

Book Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.

Book Description: The second volume of Seneca's moral letters to Lucilius. Each letter contains Seneca's advice and wisdom won from a life of Roman politics.

36.

But there are certain goods which reason regards as primary, to which she addresses herself purposely; these are, for example, victory, good children, and the welfare of one’s country.

Certain others she regards as secondary; these become manifest only in adversity,—for example, equanimity in enduring severe illness or exile.

Certain goods are indifferent; these are no more according to nature than contrary to nature, as, for example, a discreet gait and a sedate posture in a chair.

For sitting is an act that is not less according to nature than standing or walking.