On the usefulness of basic principles
95:40
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.
41.
What is more shameful than a costly meal which eats away the income even of a knight?
Or what so worthy of the censor’s condemnation as to be always indulging oneself and one’s “inner man,” if I may speak as the gluttons do?
And yet often has an inaugural dinner cost the most careful man a cool million!
The very sum that is called disgraceful if spent on the appetite, is beyond reproach if spent for official purposes!
For it is not luxury but an expenditure sanctioned by custom.
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 40
Content:
41.
What is more shameful than a costly meal which eats away the income even of a knight?
Or what so worthy of the censor’s condemnation as to be always indulging oneself and one’s “inner man,” if I may speak as the gluttons do?
And yet often has an inaugural dinner cost the most careful man a cool million!
The very sum that is called disgraceful if spent on the appetite, is beyond reproach if spent for official purposes!
For it is not luxury but an expenditure sanctioned by custom.