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Moral Letters Vol II

Seneca

§ Section 3

On wisdom and retirement

68:3

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.

3.

I now return to the advice which I set out to give you,—that you keep your retirement in the background.

There is no need to fasten a placard upon yourself with the words: “Philosopher and Quietist.” Give your purpose some other name; call it ill-health and bodily weakness, or mere laziness.

To boast of our retirement is but idle self-seeking.