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
both fear help meanest none power stand
There is none made so great, but he may both need the help and service, and stand in fear of the power and unkindness, even of the meanest of mortals.
beyond both either existence ignorant life men middle people transcends
Ignorant people see life as either existence or non-existence, but wise men see it beyond both existence and non-existence to something that transcends them both; this is an observation of the Middle Way.
abandoned both desires limits moderation nature resources restricted sign utter
That moderation which nature prescribes, which limits our desires by resources restricted to our needs, has abandoned the field; it has now come to this - that to want only what is enough is a sign both of boorishness and of utter destitution.
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.
service
You must live for another if you wish to live for yourself.
cast raised
Whatever fortune has raised to a height, she has raised only to cast it down.
Our care should not be to have lived long as to have lived enough.
crime-and-criminals
He has committed the crime who profits by it.
Whatever is well said by another, is mine.
Whenever the speech is corrupted so is the mind.
Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing.
Every sin is the result of a collaboration.
man
Every man prefers belief to the exercise of judgment.
approach liberty man
The approach of liberty makes even an old man brave.