On real ethics as superior to syllogistic subtleties
117:20
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.
20.
And I ask you, are we to fritter away that necessary study which we owe to greater and better themes, in discussing a matter which may perhaps be wrong and is certainly of no avail?
How will it profit me to know whether wisdom is one thing, and being wise another?
How will it profit me to know that the one is, and the other is not, a Good?
Suppose I take a chance, and gamble on this prayer: “Wisdom for you, and being wise for me!” We shall come out even.
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 20
Content:
20.
And I ask you, are we to fritter away that necessary study which we owe to greater and better themes, in discussing a matter which may perhaps be wrong and is certainly of no avail?
How will it profit me to know whether wisdom is one thing, and being wise another?
How will it profit me to know that the one is, and the other is not, a Good?
Suppose I take a chance, and gamble on this prayer: “Wisdom for you, and being wise for me!” We shall come out even.