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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 21

On the true good as attained by reason

124:21

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.

21.

Do you ask now whither our argument is tending, and of what benefit it will be to your mind?

I will tell you: it exercises and sharpens the mind, and ensures, by occupying it honourably, that it will accomplish some sort of good.

And even that is beneficial which holds men back when they are hurrying into wickedness.

However, I will say this also: I can be of no greater benefit to you than by revealing the Good that is rightly yours, by taking you out of the class of dumb animals, and by placing you on a level with God.