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Seneca · Moral Letters to Lucilius

Letter 16 — On Philosophy, the Guide of Life (§4)

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Perhaps someone will say: “How can philosophy help me, if Fate exists? Of what avail is philosophy, if God rules the universe? Of what avail is it, if Chance governs everything? For not only is it impossible to change things that are determined, but it is also impossible to plan beforehand against what is undetermined; either God has forestalled my plans, and decided what I am to do, or else Fortune gives no free play to my plans.”
Seneca·Letter 16 — On Philosophy, the Guide of Life (§4)·trans. Gummere
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