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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 33

On the usefulness of basic principles

95:33

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.

34.

Amid this upset condition of morals, something stronger than usual is needed,—something which will shake off these chronic ills; in order to root out a deep-seated belief in wrong ideas, conduct must be regulated by doctrines.

It is only when we add precepts, consolation, and encouragement to these, that they can prevail; by themselves they are ineffective.