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Moral Letters Vol II

Seneca

§ Section 18

Some arguments in favour of the simple life

87:18

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.

18.

A strong-box is worth just what it holds; or rather, it is a mere accessory of that which it holds.

Who ever sets any price upon a full purse except the price established by the count of the money deposited therein?

This also applies to the owners of great estates: they are only accessories and incidentals to their possessions.

Why, then, is the wise man great?

Because he has a great soul.

Accordingly, it is true that that which falls to the lot even of the most despicable person is not a good.