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
fashion vices
What were once vices are the fashion of the day.
avarice evil promise promises purple rewards robe varied vices
There is no evil that does not promise inducements. Avarice promises money; luxury, a varied assortment of pleasures; ambition, a purple robe and applause. Vices tempt you by the rewards they offer.
brought call mastered ourselves passions temptation themselves vices
We should every night call ourselves to an account: what infirmity have I mastered today? what passions opposed? what temptation resisted? what virtue acquired? Our vices will abate of themselves if they be brought every day to the shrift.
bottom economy economy-and-economics late
Economy is too late when you are at the bottom of your purse.
drag fate fates lead
The fates lead the willing, and drag the unwilling.
sentiments
Nothing is so contemptible as the sentiments of the mob.
men
It is the superfluous things for which men sweat.
dislike great measure mind prefer sign
It is the sign of a great mind to dislike greatness, and prefer things in measure to things in excess.
quality quantity rather
It is the quality rather than the quantity that matters.
enjoy mar pleasure pleasures present
So enjoy present pleasures as to not mar those to come.
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.
age age-and-aging despicable lived man offer proof
There is nothing more despicable than an old man who has no other proof than his age to offer of his having lived long in the world.
friend friends-or-friendship sure themselves
Those that are a friend to themselves are sure to be a friend to all.