Source edition
Plutarch. Plutarchi Chaeronensis Moralia, Vol. IΙI. Vernardakēs, Grēgorios N., editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1891.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a letter of consolation sent by the husband to his wife, who is grieving the loss of their young daughter. While deeply mourning the child's death, the author urges his wife to maintain self-control and avoid falling into excessive grief. Recalling her past resilience and moderate lifestyle, he advises her not to let sorrow take root in her heart and stresses the importance of keeping both mind and body strong. He also cautions against the unnecessary interference of mourning onlookers, encouraging her instead to appreciate the precious years they shared with their daughter. Ultimately, he consoles her by explaining that the soul of a child who dies young is freed from bodily constraints and transitions directly to a pure, divine realm, offering a message of peace and hope.