On learning wisdom in old age
76:14
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.
14.
You will speak of a sword as good, not when its sword-belt is of gold, or its scabbard studded with gems, but when its edge is fine for cutting and its point will pierce any armour.
Take the carpenter’s rule: we do not ask how beautiful it is, but how straight it is.
Each thing is praised in regard to that attribute which is taken as its standard, in regard to that which is its peculiar quality.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On learning wisdom in old age
Location: Chapter 76, Section 14
Content:
14.
You will speak of a sword as good, not when its sword-belt is of gold, or its scabbard studded with gems, but when its edge is fine for cutting and its point will pierce any armour.
Take the carpenter’s rule: we do not ask how beautiful it is, but how straight it is.
Each thing is praised in regard to that attribute which is taken as its standard, in regard to that which is its peculiar quality.