36. “No one, however,” it is said, “cures madness by precepts, and therefore not wickedness either.” There is a distinction; for if you rid a man of insanity, he becomes sane again, but if we have removed false opinions, insight into practical conduct does not at once follow.
Even though it follows, counsel will none the less confirm one’s right opinion concerning Good and Evil.
And it is also wrong to believe that precepts are of no use to madmen.
For though, by themselves, they are of no avail, yet they are a help towards the cure.
Both scolding and chastening rein in a lunatic.
Note that I here refer to lunatics whose wits are disturbed but not hopelessly gone.
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the value of advice
Location: Chapter 94, Section 36
Content:
36. “No one, however,” it is said, “cures madness by precepts, and therefore not wickedness either.” There is a distinction; for if you rid a man of insanity, he becomes sane again, but if we have removed false opinions, insight into practical conduct does not at once follow.
Even though it follows, counsel will none the less confirm one’s right opinion concerning Good and Evil.
And it is also wrong to believe that precepts are of no use to madmen.
For though, by themselves, they are of no avail, yet they are a help towards the cure.
Both scolding and chastening rein in a lunatic.
Note that I here refer to lunatics whose wits are disturbed but not hopelessly gone.