36. “But what, then,” people say, “have not certain persons won their way to excellence without complicated training?
Have they not made great progress by obeying bare precepts alone?” Very true; but their temperaments were propitious, and they snatched salvation as it were by the way.
For just as the immortal gods did not learn virtue having been born with virtue complete, and containing in their nature the essence of goodness—even so certain men are fitted with unusual qualities and reach without a long apprenticeship that which is ordinarily a matter of teaching, welcoming honourable things as soon as they hear them.
Hence come the choice minds which seize quickly upon virtue, or else produce it from within themselves.
But your dull, sluggish fellow, who is hampered by his evil habits, must have this soul-rust incessantly rubbed off.
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the usefulness of basic principles
Location: Chapter 95, Section 35
Content:
36. “But what, then,” people say, “have not certain persons won their way to excellence without complicated training?
Have they not made great progress by obeying bare precepts alone?” Very true; but their temperaments were propitious, and they snatched salvation as it were by the way.
For just as the immortal gods did not learn virtue having been born with virtue complete, and containing in their nature the essence of goodness—even so certain men are fitted with unusual qualities and reach without a long apprenticeship that which is ordinarily a matter of teaching, welcoming honourable things as soon as they hear them.
Hence come the choice minds which seize quickly upon virtue, or else produce it from within themselves.
But your dull, sluggish fellow, who is hampered by his evil habits, must have this soul-rust incessantly rubbed off.