On the usefulness of basic principles
95:38
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.
39.
Suppose that a man is acting as he should; he cannot keep it up continuously or consistently, since he will not know the reason for so acting.
Some of his conduct will result rightly because of luck or practice; but there will be in his hand no rule by which he may regulate his acts, and which he may trust to tell him whether that which he has done is right.
One who is good through mere chance will not give promise of retaining such a character for ever.
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 38
Content:
39.
Suppose that a man is acting as he should; he cannot keep it up continuously or consistently, since he will not know the reason for so acting.
Some of his conduct will result rightly because of luck or practice; but there will be in his hand no rule by which he may regulate his acts, and which he may trust to tell him whether that which he has done is right.
One who is good through mere chance will not give promise of retaining such a character for ever.