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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 45

On the value of advice

94:45

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.

45.

Virtue is divided into two parts—into contemplation of truth, and conduct.

Training teaches contemplation, and admonition teaches conduct.

And right conduct both practises and reveals virtue.

But if, when a man is about to act, he is helped by advice, he is also helped by admonition.

Therefore, if right conduct is necessary to virtue, and if, moreover, admonition makes clear right conduct, then admonition also is an indispensable thing.