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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 2

On care of health and peace of mind

104:2

Book Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.

Book Description: The final volume of Seneca's moral letters. Common Stoic themes emerge again and again: the unreliability of fortune, the ability to form Stoic resolve, and the importance of virtue.

2.

That is what I remarked to my dear Paulina, who always urges me to take care of my health.

I know that her very life-breath comes and goes with my own, and I am beginning, in my solicitude for her, to be solicitous for myself.

And although old age has made me braver to bear many things, I am gradually losing this boon that old age bestows.

For it comes into my mind that in this old man there is a youth also, and youth needs tenderness.

Therefore, since I cannot prevail upon her to love me any more heroically, she prevails upon me to cherish myself more carefully.