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Moral Letters Vol II

Seneca

§ Section 4

On wisdom and retirement

68:4

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.

4.

Certain animals hide themselves from discovery by confusing the marks of their foot-prints in the neighbourhood of their lairs.

You should do the same.

Otherwise, there will always be someone dogging your footsteps.

Many men pass by that which is visible, and peer after things hidden and concealed; a locked room invites the thief.

Things which lie in the open appear cheap; the house-breaker passes by that which is exposed to view.

This is the way of the world, and the way of all ignorant men: they crave to burst in upon hidden things.

It is therefore best not to vaunt one’s retirement.