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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 51

On the value of advice

94:51

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.

51.

Moreover, if one awaits the time when one can know of oneself what the best line of action is, one will sometimes go astray and by going astray will be hindered from arriving at the point where it is possible to be content with oneself.

The soul should accordingly be guided at the very moment when it is becoming able to guide itself.

Boys study according to direction.

Their fingers are held and guided by others so that they may follow the outlines of the letters; next, they are ordered to imitate a copy and base thereon a style of penmanship.

Similarly, the mind is helped if it is taught according to direction.