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Moral Letters Vol II

Seneca

§ Section 13

On liberal and vocational studies

88:13

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.

13.

O what marvellous skill!

You know how to measure the circle; you find the square of any shape which is set before you; you compute the distances between the stars; there is nothing which does not come within the scope of your calculations.

But if you are a real master of your profession, measure me the mind of man!

Tell me how great it is, or how puny!

You know what a straight line is; but how does it benefit you if you do not know what is straight in this life of ours?