On the vitality of the soul and its attributes
113:19
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.
19.
For let us suppose that it is Prudence; how will Prudence assent to the opinion: “I must take a walk”?
Nature does not allow this.
For Prudence looks after the interests of its possessor, and not of its own self.
Prudence cannot walk or be seated.
Accordingly, it does not possess the power of assent, and it is not a living thing possessed of reason.
But if virtue is a living thing, it is rational.
But it is not rational; therefore it is not a living thing.
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 19
Content:
19.
For let us suppose that it is Prudence; how will Prudence assent to the opinion: “I must take a walk”?
Nature does not allow this.
For Prudence looks after the interests of its possessor, and not of its own self.
Prudence cannot walk or be seated.
Accordingly, it does not possess the power of assent, and it is not a living thing possessed of reason.
But if virtue is a living thing, it is rational.
But it is not rational; therefore it is not a living thing.