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Moral Letters Vol II

Seneca

§ Section 6

On wisdom and retirement

68:6

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.

6.

When you withdraw from the world your business is to talk with yourself, not to have men talk about you.

But what shall you talk about?

Do just what people are fond of doing when they talk about their neighbours,—speak ill of yourself when by yourself; then you will become accustomed both to speak and to hear the truth.

Above all, however, ponder that which you come to feel is your greatest weakness.