On the value of advice
94:50
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.
50.
Furthermore, that which you mention is the mark of an already perfect man, of one who has attained the height of human happiness.
But the approach to these qualities is slow, and in the meantime in practical matters, the path should be pointed out for the benefit of one who is still short of perfection, but is making progress.
Wisdom by her own agency may perhaps show herself this path without the help of admonition; for she has brought the soul to a stage where it can be impelled only in the right direction.
Weaker characters, however, need someone to precede them, to say: “Avoid this,” or “Do that.”
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 50
Content:
50.
Furthermore, that which you mention is the mark of an already perfect man, of one who has attained the height of human happiness.
But the approach to these qualities is slow, and in the meantime in practical matters, the path should be pointed out for the benefit of one who is still short of perfection, but is making progress.
Wisdom by her own agency may perhaps show herself this path without the help of admonition; for she has brought the soul to a stage where it can be impelled only in the right direction.
Weaker characters, however, need someone to precede them, to say: “Avoid this,” or “Do that.”