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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 7

On self-control

116:7

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.

7.

At this point, I know, you will confront me with that common complaint against the Stoics: “Your promises are too great, and your counsels too hard.

We are mere manikins, unable to deny ourselves everything.

We shall sorrow, but not to any great extent; we shall feel desires, but in moderation; we shall give way to anger, but we shall be appeased.”