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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 5

On the degeneracy of the age

97:5

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.

5.

It is superfluous to be shocked at the bribe; the additions to the bribe were worse. “Will you have the wife of that prig, A.?

Very good.

Or of B., the millionaire?

I will guarantee that you shall lie with her.

If you fail to commit adultery, condemn Clodius.

That beauty whom you desire shall visit you.

I assure you a night in that woman’s company without delay; my promise shall be carried out faithfully within the legal time of postponement.” It means more to parcel out such crimes than to commit them; it means blackmailing dignified matrons.