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Moral Letters Vol II

Seneca

§ Section 7

On the rewards of scientific discovery

79:7

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.

7.

Now if Aetna does not make your mouth water, I am mistaken in you.

You have for some time been desirous of writing something in the grand style and on the level of the older school.

For your modesty does not allow you to set your hopes any higher; this quality of yours is so pronounced that, it seems to me, you are likely to curb the force of your natural ability, if there should be any danger of outdoing others; so greatly do you reverence the old masters.