On the vitality of the soul and its attributes
113:17
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.
17.
Every living thing acts of itself; but virtue does nothing of itself; it must act in conjunction with man.
All living things either are gifted with reason, like men and gods, or else are irrational, like beasts and cattle.
Virtues, in any case, are rational; and yet they are neither men nor gods; therefore they are not living things.
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the vitality of the soul and its attributes
Location: Chapter 113, Section 17
Content:
17.
Every living thing acts of itself; but virtue does nothing of itself; it must act in conjunction with man.
All living things either are gifted with reason, like men and gods, or else are irrational, like beasts and cattle.
Virtues, in any case, are rational; and yet they are neither men nor gods; therefore they are not living things.