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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 12

On the value of advice

94:12

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.

12.

I repeat, are such precepts useful to him who has correct ideas about good and evil, or to one who has them not?

The latter will receive no benefit from you; for some idea that clashes with your counsel has already monopolized his attention.

He who has made a careful decision as to what should be sought and what should be avoided knows what he ought to do, without a single word from you.

Therefore, that whole department of philosophy may be abolished.