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Moral Letters Vol III

Seneca

§ Section 20

On consolation to the bereaved

99:20

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.

20. “There is, then, no reason why, just because a group of persons is standing in your presence or sitting at your side, you should either check or pour forth your tears; whether restrained or outpoured, they are never so disgraceful as when feigned.

Let them flow naturally.

But it is possible for tears to flow from the eyes of those who are quiet and at peace.

They often flow without impairing the influence of the wise man—with such restraint that they show no want either of feeling or of self-respect.