Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Lucius Annaeus Senecawas a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionStatesman
beasts felicity happier human sensuality
If sensuality were happiness, beasts were happier than men; but human felicity is lodged in the soul, not in the flesh.
compelling enter equal fortune freedom lists means slave
Freedom is not being a slave to any circumstance, to any constraint, to any chance; it means compelling Fortune to enter the lists on equal terms.
adversity behold brave conflict contest man matched worthy
Behold a contest worthy of a god, a brave man matched in conflict with adversity
acts both cause happiness itself matter mind
The mind is a matter over every kind of fortune; itself acts in both ways, being the cause of its own happiness and misery.
flow flowing inward peace tears
Let tears flow of their own accord: their flowing is not inconsistent with inward peace and harmony.
body disease
Disease is not of the body but of the place.
knowledge salvation
The first step in a person's salvation is knowledge of their sin.
quality quantity rather
It is the quality rather than the quantity that matters.
friend friends-or-friendship sure themselves
Those that are a friend to themselves are sure to be a friend to all.
despair hope
Who can hope for nothing, should despair for nothing.
human kindness opportunity wherever
Wherever there is a human being there is an opportunity for kindness
actions firmness itself life mastery mind precept teaches wisdom words
Wisdom does not show itself so much in precept as in life - in a firmness of mind and mastery of appetite. It teaches us to do as well as talk; and to make our actions and words all of a color.
actions firmness itself life mastery mind precept teaches wisdom words
Wisdom does not show itself so much in precept as in life -- in firmness of mind and a mastery of appetite. It teaches us to do as well as to talk; and to make our words and actions all of a color.
equal strive
To strive with an equal is dangerous; with a superior, mad; with an inferior, degrading.