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Moral Letters Vol II

Seneca

§ Section 20

On drunkenness

83:20

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.

20.

When the strength of wine has become too great and has gained control over the mind, every lurking evil comes forth from its hiding-place.

Drunkenness does not create vice, it merely brings it into view; at such times the lustful man does not wait even for the privacy of a bedroom, but without postponement gives free play to the demands of his passions; at such times the unchaste man proclaims and publishes his malady; at such times your cross-grained fellow does not restrain his tongue or his hand.

The haughty man increases his arrogance, the ruthless man his cruelty, the slanderer his spitefulness.

Every vice is given free play and comes to the front.