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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 14

On the fellowship of wise men

109:14

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.

14.

It is necessary for me to pass from this topic to another, in order to prove my point.

For the question is asked, whether the wise man will weigh his opinions, or whether he will apply to others for advice.

Now he is compelled to do this when he approaches state and home duties—everything, so to speak, that is mortal.

He needs outside advice on such matters, as does the physician, the pilot, the attorney, or the pleader of cases.

Hence, the wise will sometimes help the wise; for they will persuade each other.

But in these matters of great import also,—aye, of divine import, as I have termed them,—the wise man can also be useful by discussing honourable things in common, and by contributing his thoughts and ideas.