SENECA - College of Stoic Philosophers

EPISTLE XC.
to his meaner assistants." Not so ;
these early
inventions were thought out by no other class of
men than those who have them in charge to-day.
We know that certain devices have come to light
only within our own memory such as the use of
windows which admit the clear light through
transparent tiles/ and such as the vaulted baths,
with pipes let into their walls for the purpose
of diffusing the heat which maintains an even
temperature in their lowest as \vell as in their
highest spaces. Why need I mention the marble
with which our temples and our private houses
are resplendent
? Or the rounded and polished
masses of stone by means of which we erect colonnades
and buildings roomy enough
for nations ?
Or our
b
signs for whole words, which enable us
to take down a speech, however rapidly uttered,
matching speed of tongue by speed of hand ?
All this sort of thing has been devised by the
lowest grade of slaves. Wisdom's seat is
higher ;
she trains not the hands, but is mistress of our
minds.
Would you know what wisdom has brought forth
to light, what she has accomplished
? It is not the
graceful poses of the body, or the varied notes
produced by horn and flute, whereby the breath
is received and, as it passes out or through, is
transformed into voice. It is not wisdom that contrives
arms, or walls, or instruments useful in war ;
nay, her voice is for peace, and she summons all
mankind to concord. It is not she, I maintain, who
is the artisan of our indispensable implements of
daily use. Why do you assign to her such petty
?
things You see in her the skilled artisan of life.
The other arts, it is true, wisdom has under her
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