Summary
Seneca tackles a complaint as old as time: that society is going to hell and things have never been worse. Using the scandalous trial of Clodius in ancient Rome, he shows Lucilius that corruption, bribery, and moral decay aren't new problems. In this infamous case, jury members were bribed not just with money, but with sexual favors from noble women and youths. The defendant, accused of adultery, literally pimped out more adulteries to secure his acquittal. Even with moral giants like Cato present, the trial became more corrupt than the original crime. Seneca's point hits home: humans have always been capable of spectacular moral failures. What makes vice so persistent is that unlike other mistakes, moral errors often feel good in the moment. A pilot doesn't celebrate crashing his ship, but people genuinely enjoy their own crimes. However, Seneca argues that wrongdoing carries its own built-in punishment through the constant anxiety and fear of discovery. Even when criminals escape legal consequences, their conscience tortures them with unending worry. This isn't just philosophical theory—it's practical wisdom about human nature. The letter serves as both historical reality check and psychological insight into why guilt creates its own prison, regardless of external punishment.
Coming Up in Chapter 98
From moral corruption to life's ultimate uncertainty, Seneca next explores how depending on good fortune for happiness is like building a house on quicksand. He'll reveal why the things we think make us secure are actually the source of our greatest vulnerability.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
L←etter 96. On facing hardshipsMoral letters to Luciliusby Seneca, translated by Richard Mott GummereLetter 97. On the degeneracy of the ageLetter 98. On the fickleness of fortune→483739Moral letters to Lucilius — Letter 97. On the degeneracy of the ageRichard Mott GummereSeneca ​ XCVII. ON THE DEGENERACY OF THE AGE 1. You are mistaken, my dear Lucilius, if you think that luxury, neglect of good manners, and other vices of which each man accuses the age in which he lives, are especially characteristic of our own epoch; no, they are the vices of mankind and not of the times. No era in history has ever been free from blame. Moreover, if you once begin to take account of the irregularities belonging to any particular era, you will find—to man’s shame be it spoken—that sin never stalked abroad more openly than in Cato’s very presence. 2. Would anyone believe that money changed hands in the trial when Clodius was defendant on the charge of secret adultery with Caesar’s wife, when he violated[1] the ritual of that sacrifice which is said to be offered on behalf of the people when all males are so rigorously removed outside the precinct, that even pictures of all male creatures are covered up? And yet, money was given to the jury, and, baser even than such a bargain, sexual crimes were demanded of married women and noble youths as a sort of additional contribution.[2] 3. The charge involved less sin than the acquittal; for the defendant on a charge of adultery parcelled out the adulteries, and was not sure of his own safety until he had made the jury criminals like himself. All this was done at the trial in which Cato gave evidence, although that was his sole part therein. I shall quote Cicero’s actual words,[3] because the facts are so bad as to pass belief: 4. “He made ​assignations, promises, pleas, and gifts. And more than this (merciful Heavens, what an abandoned state of affairs!) upon several of the jury, to round out their reward, he even bestowed the enjoyment of certain women and meetings with noble youths.” 5. It is superfluous to be shocked at the bribe; the additions to the bribe were worse. “Will you have the wife of that prig, A.? Very good. Or of B., the millionaire? I will guarantee that you shall lie with her. If you fail to commit adultery, condemn Clodius. That beauty whom you desire shall visit you. I assure you a night in that woman’s company without delay; my promise shall be carried out faithfully within the legal time of postponement.” It means more to parcel out such crimes than to commit them; it means blackmailing dignified matrons. 6. These jurymen in the Clodius trial had asked the Senate for a guard—a favour which would have been necessary only for a jury about to convict the accused; and their request had been granted. Hence the witty remark of Catulus after the defendant had been acquitted: “Why did you ask...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Moral Nostalgia
The false belief that moral decay is accelerating when corruption has always existed but becomes more visible over time.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to question claims that 'things used to be better' by examining what evidence actually supports those beliefs.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone says 'people used to be more honest/hardworking/respectful' and ask them for specific examples versus vague generalizations.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Clodius Trial
A notorious Roman scandal where Publius Clodius was accused of sneaking into an all-female religious ceremony disguised as a woman to commit adultery with Caesar's wife. The trial became more corrupt than the original crime, with jurors bribed using money and sexual favors.
Modern Usage:
We see this pattern when scandals get buried through corruption, like when powerful people use their influence to make legal problems disappear.
Sacred Ritual Violation
Clodius broke into the Bona Dea ceremony, a women-only religious rite so sacred that even pictures of male animals were covered. This wasn't just adultery—it was religious sacrilege that threatened the safety of Rome itself.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how certain spaces or traditions are considered off-limits, and violating them feels like a betrayal of community trust.
Jury Bribery
Roman jurors were corrupted not just with money but with sexual services from noble women and young men. The defense literally pimped out more crimes to cover up the original crime.
Modern Usage:
We see this when people use their power to offer favors, connections, or other perks to influence decisions that should be impartial.
Moral Degeneracy Complaint
The ancient belief that society is getting worse and previous generations were more virtuous. Seneca argues this complaint has existed in every era throughout history.
Modern Usage:
Every generation thinks the world is going to hell and that young people today are worse than they were.
Cato's Presence
Marcus Cato was Rome's most famous moral authority, yet even with him watching, the trial became completely corrupt. This shows that moral leadership doesn't automatically prevent wrongdoing.
Modern Usage:
Even when respected people are in the room, corruption can still happen if the incentives are strong enough.
Built-in Punishment
Seneca's idea that wrongdoing carries its own consequences through anxiety, fear of discovery, and guilt, even when there are no external punishments.
Modern Usage:
The stress and paranoia that comes with lying or cheating, even when you don't get caught.
Characters in This Chapter
Seneca
Mentor and moral teacher
Writing to his friend Lucilius to challenge the common complaint that their era is uniquely corrupt. Uses historical examples to show that humans have always been capable of spectacular moral failures.
Modern Equivalent:
The wise older colleague who puts current problems in perspective
Lucilius
Student and letter recipient
Apparently complained about the moral decay of their times. Represents anyone who thinks society is uniquely bad in their era.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who's always saying 'things weren't like this when I was young'
Clodius
Scandal's central figure
The defendant who disguised himself as a woman to sneak into a sacred female ceremony, allegedly to commit adultery with Caesar's wife. His trial became more corrupt than his original crime.
Modern Equivalent:
The politician whose cover-up becomes a bigger scandal than what they were hiding
Cato
Moral authority figure
Rome's most respected moral leader who was present during the corrupt trial, showing that even the best people can't prevent wrongdoing when incentives are strong enough.
Modern Equivalent:
The respected community leader whose presence doesn't stop bad behavior
Caesar's wife
Alleged victim
The woman Clodius allegedly pursued, representing how personal scandals can become public crises when they involve powerful people.
Modern Equivalent:
The spouse of a public figure who gets dragged into scandal
Key Quotes & Analysis
"You are mistaken, my dear Lucilius, if you think that luxury, neglect of good manners, and other vices of which each man accuses the age in which he lives, are especially characteristic of our own epoch; no, they are the vices of mankind and not of the times."
Context: Opening his argument against Lucilius's complaint about their corrupt era
This directly challenges the universal human tendency to think our current problems are uniquely bad. Seneca argues that moral problems are constants of human nature, not products of specific time periods.
In Today's Words:
Every generation thinks they're living through the worst time in history, but people have always been people.
"The charge involved less sin than the acquittal; for the defendant on a charge of adultery was acquitted by means of adultery."
Context: Describing how Clodius's defense was more corrupt than his original crime
This reveals how corruption can spiral—the cover-up becomes worse than the crime. It shows the absurd lengths people go to avoid consequences.
In Today's Words:
The guy accused of cheating got off by arranging more cheating—the fix was dirtier than the original scandal.
"No era in history has ever been free from blame."
Context: Supporting his argument that moral decay isn't unique to any time period
A simple but profound observation about human nature. This helps readers recognize that feeling like society is falling apart is a normal human experience, not evidence of unique crisis.
In Today's Words:
There's never been a perfect time when everything was great and everyone was good.
Thematic Threads
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Seneca challenges the expectation that society should be improving morally over time
Development
Building on earlier letters about not judging by appearances
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself thinking your workplace, neighborhood, or generation was 'better before' without examining the evidence.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The Clodius trial shows how power corrupts even intimate relationships, turning them into transactional tools
Development
Connects to previous discussions about authentic versus manipulative relationships
In Your Life:
You might recognize when people use personal connections or favors to avoid consequences for their actions.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Seneca argues that wrongdoing creates its own punishment through anxiety and fear of discovery
Development
Builds on earlier themes about internal versus external validation
In Your Life:
You might notice how guilt and worry follow you even when you escape formal consequences for mistakes.
Class
In This Chapter
Noble women and wealthy citizens using their status to corrupt justice shows how privilege enables moral decay
Development
Continues examination of how social position affects moral choices
In Your Life:
You might observe how people with connections or status get away with behavior that would destroy others.
Identity
In This Chapter
Seneca questions whether we define ourselves by imagined moral superiority over previous generations
Development
Introduced here as a new way to examine self-concept
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself feeling morally superior to past eras while ignoring present-day problems you participate in or ignore.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific examples does Seneca give to show that corruption isn't new to his generation?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Seneca argue that moral crimes are different from other types of mistakes?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you heard someone claim that 'people today are worse than they used to be'? What specific complaints did they make?
application • medium - 4
How would you respond to a coworker who insists that 'nobody has work ethic anymore' compared to the past?
application • deep - 5
What does Seneca's observation about guilt creating its own punishment teach us about why people repeat harmful behaviors?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Test the 'Good Old Days' Claim
Think of a time someone told you things were better 'back in the day' - whether about work, family values, safety, or respect. Pick one specific claim and research what was actually happening during that time period. Look for concrete evidence, not just nostalgic stories.
Consider:
- •What problems from that era might people be forgetting or minimizing?
- •Who benefited from the 'good old days' and who didn't have a voice then?
- •What evidence would prove or disprove this claim about the past being better?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you caught yourself romanticizing the past. What were you trying to escape from in your present situation, and how did idealizing the past help or hurt your ability to deal with current challenges?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 98: When Life Pulls the Rug Out
What lies ahead teaches us to build emotional resilience that doesn't depend on external circumstances, and shows us anticipating loss actually makes you stronger, not more anxious. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.