Letter 112 CXII. On Reforming Hardened Sinner bg-skys 1 . I am indeed anxious that your friend be moulded and trained, according to your desire. But he has been taken in a very hardened state, or rather (and this is a more difficult problem), in a very soft state, broken down by bad and inveterate habits. I should like to

Letter 113 CXIII. On the Vitality of the Soul and Its Attributes 1 . You wish me to write to you my opinion concerning this question, which has been mooted by our school – whether justice, courage, foresight, and the other virtues, are living things. By such niceties as this, my beloved Lucilius, we have made people think that we

Letter 114 CXIV. On Style as a Mirror of Character 1 . You have been asking me why, during certain periods, a degenerate style of speech comes to the fore, and how it is that men’s wits have gone downhill into certain vices – in such a way that exposition at one time has taken on a kind of puffed-up

Letter 115 CXV. On the Superficial Blessings 1 . I wish, my dear Lucilius, that you would not be too particular with regard to words and their arrangement; I have greater matters than these to commend to your care. You should seek what to write, rather than how to write it – and even that not for the purpose of

Letter 116 CXVI. On Self-Control 1 . The question has often been raised whether it is better to have moderate emotions, or none at all. Philosophers of our school reject the emotions; the Peripatetics keep them in check. I, however, do not understand how any half-way disease can be either wholesome or helpful. Do not fear; I am not robbing

Letter 117 CXVII. On Real Ethics as Superior to Syllogistic Subtleties 1 . You will be fabricating much trouble for me, and you will be unconsciously embroiling me in a great discussion, and in considerable bother, if you put such petty questions as these; for in settling them I cannot disagree with my fellow-Stoics without impairing my standing among them,

Letter 118 CXVIII. On the Vanity of Place-Seeking 1 . You have been demanding more frequent letters from me. But if we compare the accounts, you will not be on the credit side. We had indeed made the agreement that your part came first, that you should write the first letters, and that I should answer. However, I shall not

Letter 119 CXIX. On Nature as our Best Provider 1 . Whenever I have made a discovery, I do not wait for you to cry “Shares!" I say it to myself in your behalf. If you wish to know what it is that I have found, open your pocket; it is clear profit. What I shall teach you is the

Letter 120 CXX. More about Virtue 1 . Your letter roamed, over several little problems, but finally dwelt upon this alone, asking for explanation: “How do we acquire a knowledge of that which is good and that which is honourable?" In the opinion of other schools, these two qualities are distinct; among our followers, however, they are merely divided. 2.