The Epistles of Lucius Annaeus Seneca

An Extract from Lipsius, Manud. I. 18. relating to Seneca and his Writings in general.

GIVE me leave to observe, what I have learned from experience, that they cannot but love Seneca who sincerely love and esteem virtue, for this is what he has beautifully set off and effectually maintained in all his writings. There are, or have been, many works of the same author—political, rhetorical, and physical—but his ethics are particularly eminent. I wish they had come down to us pure and entire, but his book of Exhortations and his peculiar treatise of Morals are lost, along with others of the like kind. Yet, sufficient for his everlasting honor are those that are still extant, among which we may reckon his Epistles, even in their present condition, having suffered so much from transcribers, conjecturers, and critics.

In general (speaking of the original), his words are select, proper, and significant. His frequent allusions and metaphors are everywhere entertaining, while they inculcate the matter in hand and still point toward something more. There is care without affectation, dress without foppery, and expressions purely natural without being forced or finical. Even in brevity appears a happy copiousness; the words flow, but not rapidly; like a river, not a torrent—"strong without rage, without overflowing full." In short, as good trees, whose excellency consists in producing fruit as well as leaves and blossoms, so Seneca—whom we may well read and admire for improvement—delights us also and joins beauty with strength.

As to his matter (still in general), how noble and sublime! How useful and salutary! All his writings, even where not professedly so, breathe generous virtue. How frequently and how strenuously does he assert the being of a God, the fountain of all good; his providence and care of us mortals; his power, wisdom, justice, and the like attributes! How often does he recommend submission in all