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Moral Letters Vol II

Seneca

§ Section 36

On liberal and vocational studies

88:36

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.

36. “But it is a pleasure to be acquainted with many arts.” Therefore let us keep only as much of them as is essential.

Do you regard that man as blameworthy who puts superfluous things on the same footing with useful things, and in his house makes a lavish display of costly objects, but do not deem him blameworthy who has allowed himself to become engrossed with the useless furniture of learning?

This desire to know more than is sufficient is a sort of intemperance.