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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 3

On real ethics as superior to syllogistic subtleties

117:3

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.

3.

But they do not think that being wise can be rated on the same basis.

For it is incorporeal and accessory to something else, in other words, wisdom; hence it is in no respect active or helpful. "What, then?” is the reply; “Why do we not say that being wise is a Good?” We do say so; but only by referring it to that on which it depends—in other words, wisdom itself.