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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 10

On real ethics as superior to syllogistic subtleties

117:10

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.

10.

The objector replies: “It is only an accessory of wisdom.” Very well, then, I say, this quality which you call being wise—does it actively produce wisdom, or is it a passive concomitant of wisdom?

It is corporeal in either case.

For that which is acted upon and that which acts, are alike corporeal; and, if corporeal, each is a Good.

The only quality which could prevent it from being a Good, would be incorporeality.