On real ethics as superior to syllogistic subtleties
117:17
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.
If I ask you whether wisdom is to be desired, you admit that it is.
If I ask you whether the employment of wisdom is to be desired, you also admit the fact; for you say that you will not receive wisdom if you are not allowed to employ it.
Now that which is to be desired is a Good.
Being wise is the employment of wisdom, just as it is of eloquence to make a speech, or of the eyes to see things.
Therefore, being wise is the employment of wisdom, and the employment of wisdom is to be desired.
Therefore being wise is a thing to be desired; and if it is a thing to be desired, it is a Good.
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On real ethics as superior to syllogistic subtleties
Location: Chapter 117, Section 17
Content:
17.
If I ask you whether wisdom is to be desired, you admit that it is.
If I ask you whether the employment of wisdom is to be desired, you also admit the fact; for you say that you will not receive wisdom if you are not allowed to employ it.
Now that which is to be desired is a Good.
Being wise is the employment of wisdom, just as it is of eloquence to make a speech, or of the eyes to see things.
Therefore, being wise is the employment of wisdom, and the employment of wisdom is to be desired.
Therefore being wise is a thing to be desired; and if it is a thing to be desired, it is a Good.