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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 31

On the usefulness of basic principles

95:31

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.

31.

Deeds that would be punished by loss of life when committed in secret, are praised by us because uniformed generals have carried them out.

Man, naturally the gentlest class of being, is not ashamed to revel in the blood of others, to wage war, and to entrust the waging of war to his sons, when even dumb beasts and wild beasts keep the peace with one another.