Seneca the Younger Quotes
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Such as the chain of causes we call Fate, such is the chain of wishes: one links on to another; the whole man is bound in the chain of wishing for ever.
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Live among others as if God beheld you; speak to God as if others were listening.
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Whatever begins, also ends.
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There's one blessing only, the source and cornerstone of beatitude: confidence in self.
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Fate rules the affairs of men, with no recognizable order.
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He deserves praise who does not what he may, but what he ought.
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Watch over yourself. Be your own accuser, then your judge; ask yourself grace sometimes, and, if there is need, impose upon yourself some pain.
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What you think is the summit is only a step up
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All I desire is, that my poverty may not be a burden to myself, or make me so to others; and that is the best state of fortune that is neither directly necessitous nor far from it. A mediocrity of fortune, with gentleness of mind, will preserve us from fear or envy; which is a desirable condition; for no man wants power to do mischief.
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No possession is gratifying without a companion.
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Fire tests gold, suffering tests brave men.
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You cease to be afraid when you cease to hope; for hope is accompanied by fear.
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The condition of all who are preoccupied is wretched, but most wretched is the condition of those who labor at preoccupations that are not even their own, who regulate their sleep by that of another, their walk by the pace of another, who are under orders in case of the freest things in the world-loving and hating. If these wish to know how short their life is, let them reflect how small a part of it is their own.
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So live with an inferior as you would wish a superior to live with you.
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There is this blessing, that while life has but one entrance, it has exits innumerable, and as I choose the house in which I live, the ship in which I will sail, so will I choose the time and manner of my death.
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It is often better not to see an insult than to avenge it.
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To make a commencement requires a mental effort.
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Let him who has granted a favour speak not of it; let him who has received one, proclaim it.
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You cannot escape necessities, but you can overcome them.
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Such is the blindness, nay the insanity of mankind, that some men are driven to death by the fear of it.
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It passes in the world for greatness of mind, to be perpetually giving and loading people with bounties; but it is one thing to know how to give and another thing not to know how to keep. Give me a heart that is easy and open, but I will have no holes in it; let it be bountiful with judgment, but I will have nothing run out of it I know not how.
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Some cures are worse than the dangers they combat.
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There is nothing which persevering effort and unceasing and diligent care cannot accomplish.
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The arts are the servant; wisdom its master.