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Wise by Chance

Wise by Chance

"No one was ever wise by chance." - Seneca

From "Letters from a Stoic" (Letter 76: On Learning Wisdom in Old Age). Seneca wrote 124 letters to his good friend Lucillius in his final three years of life, between his withdrawal from the court of the craven emperor Nero, and his forced death by the emperor's decree. In this letter, Seneca rightly points out that while chance can provide wealth or status, it cannot provide virtue or wisdom, and encourages his friend to diligently study philosophy.

In this illustration, an owl carrying a scroll confronts the viewer with wings unfolded. The wings are "lined" with Latin text from Seneca's letters rendered in a handwritten style of the period, a challenge and invitation to contend with the writings of this wise and patient philosopher.

• 11x14 inch art print with white border 
• Premium, fine art paper made in New York 
• Elegant eggshell finish
• Ships in a a rigid, flat mailer. No need to unroll! 
• Fits into standard 11x14 frames (or a 16x20 frame matted to 11x14) 

 

Special Offer: 3 Prints for 2!  
Use code: 3PRINTS at checkout. 

Custom sizes available HERE

$ 24.00

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About Us

Obvious State is a creative studio and independent press founded by Nichole and Evan Robertson in 2011. We make bold, conceptual art that makes you think again.

In the age of clickbait, infotainment, and overstimulation, slow thought has become a luxury. Our work exists to change that. Every piece is handcrafted by Evan — art and language that provoke thought, inspire curiosity, and make the ideas that have always mattered feel urgent again.

Our books and prints are available in our shop and in bookstores and boutiques nationwide.

Our work has been featured at The Folger Shakespeare Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The American Writers Museum, The Emily Dickinson Museum, The Library of Congress, The Getty Museum, The Museum of Contemporary Art and more.