On real ethics as superior to syllogistic subtleties
117:25
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.
25.
It is with such problems as these, my dear Lucilius, that we should deal, by such problems that we should mould our minds.
This is wisdom, this is what being wise means—not to bandy empty subtleties in idle and petty discussions.
Fortune has set before you so many problems—which you have not yet solved—and are you still splitting hairs?
How foolish it is to practise strokes after you have heard the signal for the fight!
Away with all these dummy-weapons; you need armour for a fight to the finish.
Tell me by what means sadness and fear may be kept from disturbing my soul, by what means I may shift off this burden of hidden cravings.
Do something!
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 25
Content:
25.
It is with such problems as these, my dear Lucilius, that we should deal, by such problems that we should mould our minds.
This is wisdom, this is what being wise means—not to bandy empty subtleties in idle and petty discussions.
Fortune has set before you so many problems—which you have not yet solved—and are you still splitting hairs?
How foolish it is to practise strokes after you have heard the signal for the fight!
Away with all these dummy-weapons; you need armour for a fight to the finish.
Tell me by what means sadness and fear may be kept from disturbing my soul, by what means I may shift off this burden of hidden cravings.
Do something!