Seneca,

“You must persevere, must develop new strength by continuous study, until that which is only a good inclination becomes a good settled purpose”

This seems to tie into ‘virtue’ being able to be described as ‘consistent character.’  It is certainly do-able to make the advisable choice once, or even twice, or for a period of days.

Keeping one’s thoughts in order, laboring under the guide of philosophy, day in and day out for weeks, months, years seems to be another thing entirely.

That consistency which is built over those longer terms is much harder, and it often seems to fall back on the fundamentals.  The basic practices and precept of our school are both the cure, and where the problem lies.

Indeed, it’s easy to delude one’s self in lofty thoughts and grandiose philosophy, while letting the simple and basic practices slip away.  Thank you for the timely reminder.

Farewell.

Part of Michel Daw’s Reading Plan of Seneca’s Letters.