Feeling
Shame
Stoic passages for shame, each with a modern reading you can use today.
- Diogenes Laertius Zeno also held that nothing obstructs a secure grasp of knowledge more than deceiving oneself.
- Diogenes Laertius Zeno said nothing was less fitting than arrogance, especially in the young.
- Epictetus A philosopher's school is a clinic, not a pleasure hall. We should leave it challenged, because we arrive unwell.
- Epictetus Cast off conceit: no one can learn what they suppose they already know.
- Epictetus Don't allow such considerations as these distress you. "I will live in dishonor, and be nobody anywhere." For, if…
- Epictetus Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own. If a horse should be prideful and say, " I am handsome,"…
- Epictetus Don't wish to be thought to know anything; and even if you appear to be somebody important to others, distrust…
- Epictetus Every strong capacity is risky for the beginner; use such powers only as you can, and in accord with nature.
- Epictetus For a time, do not advertise your philosophy. Let it grow like seed hidden in the soil until it is mature; fruit shown…
- Epictetus For remember that, if you adhere to the same point, those very persons who at first ridiculed will afterwards admire…
- Epictetus I teach and you learn in my school. I seek to make you whole: unimpeded, free of compulsion, unashamed, flourishing,…
- Epictetus If you are defeated and say you will overcome, yet continue exactly as before, you will grow so weak that eventually…
- Epictetus If you ever happen to turn your attention to externals, so as to wish to please anyone, be assured that you have…
- Epictetus If you have assumed any character above your strength, you have both made an ill figure in that and quitted one which…
- Epictetus If you turn your will toward what is outside your control merely to impress another, you have ruined your purpose. Be…
- Epictetus If you want to improve, accept appearing uninformed or foolish in matters that do not concern you. Do not seek the…
- Epictetus In company, do not dwell too often or at length on your achievements and misfortunes; your own stories delight you…
- Epictetus Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to…
- Epictetus Once standards are established, things can be tested against them. Philosophy examines and protects those standards;…
- Epictetus People who take in doctrines and immediately recite them resemble an ill stomach returning its food. Let teachings be…
- Epictetus Philosophy promises no outward possession; its material is our own life, as wood is the carpenter’s and bronze the…
- Epictetus Show me someone cheerful in illness, danger, death, exile, or disgrace. If not a complete Stoic, then show me one who…
- Epictetus Socrates said: as one person enjoys tending a field and another training a horse, I enjoy improving myself each day.
- Epictetus The soul is like water and impressions like light upon it. When water is stirred, the light seems to move, though it…
- Epictetus These reasonings are unconnected: "I am richer than you, therefore I am better"; "I am more eloquent than you,…
- Epictetus Two things must be removed: proud certainty, which thinks nothing more is needed, and despair, which thinks happiness…
- Epictetus We do not give up our efforts merely because perfect mastery is beyond us.
- Epictetus What appears sensible or senseless, beneficial or harmful, varies from person to person. Education teaches us to bring…
- Epictetus What makes a person beautiful is human excellence. If you would be beautiful, cultivate justice, composure, and…
- Epictetus Whatever moral rules you have deliberately proposed to yourself. abide by them as they were laws, and as if you would…
- Epictetus When anyone shows himself overly confident in ability to understand and interpret the works of Chrysippus, say to…
- Epictetus When walking, you are careful not to step on a nail or turn your foot; so likewise be careful not to hurt the ruling…
- Epictetus When you do anything from a clear judgment that it ought to be done, never shun the being seen to do it, even though…
- Epictetus When you eat with another, then, remember not only the value of those things which are set before you to the body, but…
- Epictetus When you have brought yourself to supply the necessities of your body at a small price, don't pique yourself upon it;…
- Epictetus Women from fourteen years old are flattered with the title of "mistresses" by the men. Therefore, perceiving that they…
- Epictetus You are not your body or your style of hair, but your faculty for choosing well; make your choices fine, and you will…
- Epictetus You may restrain my body, but not even the highest god can destroy my power to choose.
- Marcus Aurelius Again, how he was no backbiter, nor easily frightened, nor suspicious, and in his language free from all affectation…
- Marcus Aurelius Alexander and the keeper of his mule came to the same end: absorbed into nature’s reason or dispersed among its atoms.
- Marcus Aurelius Alexander, Caius, Pompeius; what are these to Diogenes, Heraclitus, and Socrates? These penetrated into the true…
- Marcus Aurelius Alexander of Macedon, and he that dressed his mules, when once dead both came to one. For either they were both…
- Marcus Aurelius And how many there be, who never so much as heard of thy name, how many that will soon forget it; how many who but…
- Marcus Aurelius And lastly, which beareth me that tread upon it, and beareth with me that so many ways do abuse it, or so freely make…
- Marcus Aurelius And that I gave over the study of rhetoric and poetry, and of elegant neat language. That I did not use to walk about…
- Marcus Aurelius And this I say of them, who once shined as the wonders of their ages, for as for the rest, no sooner are they expired,…
- Marcus Aurelius As for that which is truly good, what can it stand in need of more than either justice or truth; or more than either…
- Marcus Aurelius As for thy body, which as a vessel, or a case, compasseth thee about, and the many and curious instruments that it…
- Marcus Aurelius As long as the foot doth that which belongeth unto it to do, and the hand that which belongs unto it, their labour,…
- Marcus Aurelius As one who is altogether governed by nature, let it be thy care to observe what it is that thy nature in general doth…
- Marcus Aurelius Be it so: yet there be many other good things, for the want of which thou canst not plead the want or natural ability.…
- Marcus Aurelius Be not therefore ashamed, whensoever thou must use the help of others. For whatsoever it be that lieth upon thee to…
- Marcus Aurelius Changing your view and accepting correction are acts of free will. The action remains yours, guided by your purpose,…
- Marcus Aurelius Children's anger, mere babels; wretched souls bearing up dead bodies, that they may not have their fall so soon: even…
- Marcus Aurelius Conceit no such things, as he that wrongeth thee conceiveth, or would have thee to conceive, but look into the matter…
- Marcus Aurelius Continue then to take notice of it, as thou hast begun, and whatsoever thou dost, do it not without this proviso, that…
- Marcus Aurelius Do not be ashamed to need assistance. You have a duty like a soldier at the wall; if you are hurt and cannot climb…
- Marcus Aurelius Do not evade the work your role requires, whether cold or tired, praised or insulted, dying or distracted. Even death…
- Marcus Aurelius Do not ever conceive anything impossible to man, which by thee cannot, or not without much difficulty be effected; but…
- Marcus Aurelius Do not live as if you had endless years ahead. Death stands near; while you are able, become good.
- Marcus Aurelius Do nothing grudgingly or selfishly; avoid needless display, excess speech, and dependence on another's support.
- Marcus Aurelius Do, soul, do; abuse and contemn thyself; yet a while and the time for thee to respect thyself, will be at an end.…
- Marcus Aurelius Do what nature asks of you now, if it lies in your power. Do not wait to be noticed or for an ideal commonwealth;…
- Marcus Aurelius Dost thou not see, how even those that profess mechanic arts, though in some respect they be no better than mere…
- Marcus Aurelius Doth either the sun take upon him to do that which belongs to the rain? or his son Aesculapius that, which unto the…
- Marcus Aurelius For a day only endure both the one who remembers and the one remembered.
- Marcus Aurelius For all these things, if once though but for a while, they begin to please, they presently prevail, and pervert a…
- Marcus Aurelius For if thou shalt not be sensible of thine innocence; if that also shall be gone from thee, the comfort of a good…
- Marcus Aurelius For these also, these famous soldiers and warlike men, if thou dost look into their minds and opinions, what do they…
- Marcus Aurelius Free from all compulsion in all cheerfulness and alacrity thou mayst run out thy time, though men should exclaim…
- Marcus Aurelius From Alexander the Grammarian, to be un-reprovable myself, and not reproachfully to reprehend any man for a barbarism,…
- Marcus Aurelius He hath a stronger body, and is a better wrestler than I. What then? Is he more bountiful? is he more modest? Doth he…
- Marcus Aurelius He is a true fugitive, that flies from reason, by which men are sociable. He blind, who cannot see with the eyes of…
- Marcus Aurelius He that sinneth, sinneth unto himself. He that is unjust, hurts himself, in that he makes himself worse than he was…
- Marcus Aurelius How base and putrid, every common matter is! Water, dust, and from the mixture of these bones, and all that loathsome…
- Marcus Aurelius How corrupt to announce, “I will speak frankly.” Your sincerity should need no notice; it should be visible in your…
- Marcus Aurelius How Socrates looked, when he was fain to gird himself with a skin, Xanthippe his wife having taken away his clothes,…
- Marcus Aurelius I answer, That which thou sayest is true indeed, but the true meaning of that which is said, thou dost not understand.…
- Marcus Aurelius I have often wondered how it should come to pass, that every man loving himself best, should more regard other men's…
- Marcus Aurelius If anybody shall reprove me, and shall make it apparent unto me, that in any either opinion or action of mine I do…
- Marcus Aurelius If it be not fitting, do it not. If it be not true, speak it not. Ever maintain thine own purpose and resolution free…
- Marcus Aurelius If people do not marvel at your intelligence, let it be. You possess many qualities no birth can deny: honesty,…
- Marcus Aurelius If someone shows me that my thought or act is mistaken, I will gladly change, for I seek truth; deceit and ignorance…
- Marcus Aurelius Is it not for that respect especially, that pleasure itself is to so many men's hurt and overthrow, most prevalent,…
- Marcus Aurelius Is it so with thee, that hitherto thou hast neither by word or deed wronged any of them? Remember withal through how…
- Marcus Aurelius Keep before your mind those consumed by anger, resentment, success, disaster, wrongdoing, or distinction. Ask where it…
- Marcus Aurelius Keep thyself therefore, truly simple, good, sincere, grave, free from all ostentation, a lover of that which is just,…
- Marcus Aurelius Labour not as one to whom it is appointed to be wretched, nor as one that either would be pitied, or admired; but let…
- Marcus Aurelius Let him be deceived whosoever he be that shall have any such opinion of thee. For all this doth depend of thee. For…
- Marcus Aurelius Let it be thy perpetual meditation, how many physicians who once looked so grim, and so theatrically shrunk their…
- Marcus Aurelius Let opinion be taken away, and no man will think himself wronged. If no man shall think himself wronged, then is there…
- Marcus Aurelius Let them behold and see a man, that is a man indeed, living according to the true nature of man. If they cannot bear…
- Marcus Aurelius Let these things suffice thee; let them be always unto thee, as thy general rules and precepts. As for thy thirst…
- Marcus Aurelius Let this be thy only joy, and thy only comfort, from one sociable kind action without intermission to pass unto…
- Marcus Aurelius Let us do our best endeavours to persuade them; but however, if reason and justice lead thee to it, do it, though they…
- Marcus Aurelius Make it not any longer a matter of dispute or discourse, what are the signs and proprieties of a good man, but really…
- Marcus Aurelius Most justly have these things happened unto thee: why dost not thou amend? O but thou hadst rather become good…
- Marcus Aurelius 'My heart smiled within me.' 'They will accuse even virtue herself; with heinous and opprobrious words.'
- Marcus Aurelius Nature hath of that also, as well as of eating and drinking, allowed thee a certain stint. But thou guest beyond thy…
- Marcus Aurelius Never esteem of anything as profitable, which shall ever constrain thee either to break thy faith, or to lose thy…
- Marcus Aurelius No operation whatsoever it he, ceasing for a while, can be truly said to suffer any evil, because it is at an end.…
- Marcus Aurelius Nothing is more wretched than a wolf posing as a sheep. Flee false friendship. If you are good, candid, and…
- Marcus Aurelius O foolery! For what if they did, would their masters be sensible of It? or if sensible, would they be glad of it? or…
- Marcus Aurelius O my soul, the time I trust will be, when thou shalt be good, simple, single, more open and visible, than that body by…
- Marcus Aurelius Of Alexander the Platonic, not often nor without great necessity to say, or to write to any man in a letter, 'I am not…
- Marcus Aurelius Of him also I learned how to receive favours and kindnesses (as commonly they are accounted:) from friends, so that I…
- Marcus Aurelius Out of Antisthenes. 'It is a princely thing to do well, and to be ill-spoken of. It is a shameful thing that the face…
- Marcus Aurelius Regard the life already lived as finished; receive what remains as a gift, and live it in accord with nature. Love the…
- Marcus Aurelius Remember that thy mind is of that nature as that it becometh altogether unconquerable, when once recollected in…
- Marcus Aurelius Remember, that to change thy mind upon occasion, and to follow him that is able to rectify thee, is equally ingenuous,…
- Marcus Aurelius Repentance is an inward and self-reprehension for the neglect or omission of somewhat that was profitable. Now…
- Marcus Aurelius See what Crates pronounceth concerning Xenocrates himself.
- Marcus Aurelius Sift their minds and understandings, and behold what men they be, whom thou dost stand in fear of what they shall…
- Marcus Aurelius Skill at defeating an opponent does not make someone more civic-minded, modest, prepared for hardship, or patient with…
- Marcus Aurelius So figs are accounted fairest and ripest then, when they begin to shrink, and wither as it were. So ripe olives, when…
- Marcus Aurelius Socrates was wont to call the common conceits and opinions of men, the common bugbears of the world: the proper terror…
- Marcus Aurelius Someone ignorant of the universe does not know where they stand. Someone ignorant of life's purpose knows neither…
- Marcus Aurelius Soon you will die, yet you remain insincere, unsettled, and suspicious of externals; you are not gracious, though…
- Marcus Aurelius Stop drifting. You may never read your notes or cherished books later. Pursue life’s purpose, abandon empty hopes, and…
- Marcus Aurelius Straight of itself, not made straight.
- Marcus Aurelius The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.
- Marcus Aurelius The completed character spends each day as a last one: without frenzy, idleness, or pretense.
- Marcus Aurelius The final ends and consummations of actions are nothing at all to a man's nature. The end therefore of a man, or the…
- Marcus Aurelius The natural properties, and privileges of a reasonable soul are: That she seeth herself; that she can order, and…
- Marcus Aurelius The unjust person defies the order of nature, for rational creatures were made for one another’s benefit, not their…
- Marcus Aurelius Then is the soul as Empedocles doth liken it, like unto a sphere or globe, when she is all of one form and figure:…
- Marcus Aurelius Theophrastus, where he compares sin with sin (as after a vulgar sense such things I grant may be compared:) says well…
- Marcus Aurelius There is not any man that is so happy in his death, but that some of those that are by him when he dies, will be ready…
- Marcus Aurelius Think thyself fit and worthy to speak, or to do anything that is according to nature, and let not the reproach, or…
- Marcus Aurelius This purple robe, but sheep's hairs, dyed with the blood of a shellfish. So for coitus, it is but the attrition of an…
- Marcus Aurelius This thou must ever be mindful of, as of this also, that a man's true happiness doth consist in very few things. And…
- Marcus Aurelius Those things which the common sort of people do admire, are most of them such things as are very general, and may be…
- Marcus Aurelius Thou art now ready to die, and yet hast thou not attained to that perfect simplicity: thou art yet subject to many…
- Marcus Aurelius To the stone that is cast up, when it comes down it is no hurt unto it; as neither benefit, when it doth ascend.
- Marcus Aurelius To which end it was, that Diogenes took also the same liberty. After these, what were either the Middle, or New Comedy…
- Marcus Aurelius Under, above, and about, are the motions of the elements; but the motion of virtue, is none of those motions, but is…
- Marcus Aurelius Upon every action that thou art about, put this question to thyself; How will this when it is done agree with me?…
- Marcus Aurelius We love ourselves readily, yet often value others' judgment above our own. We give great weight to our peers' opinions…
- Marcus Aurelius What are their minds and understandings; and what the things that they apply themselves unto: what do they love, and…
- Marcus Aurelius What art and profession soever thou hast learned, endeavour to affect it, and comfort thyself in it; and pass the…
- Marcus Aurelius What art thou, that better and divine part excepted, but as Epictetus said well, a wretched soul, appointed to carry a…
- Marcus Aurelius What does my soul serve? Ask this often. Whose soul do I possess now: a child’s, a tyrant’s, a tame animal’s, or a…
- Marcus Aurelius What is it then that should be dear unto us? to hear a clattering noise? if not that, then neither to be applauded by…
- Marcus Aurelius What is the use that now at this present I make of my soul? Thus from time to time and upon all occasions thou must…
- Marcus Aurelius What manner of men they be whom they seek to please, and what to get, and by what actions: how soon time will cover…
- Marcus Aurelius What pain soever thou art in, let this presently come to thy mind, that it is not a thing whereof thou needest to be…
- Marcus Aurelius What Socrates answered unto Perdiccas, why he did not come unto him, Lest of all deaths I should die the worst kind of…
- Marcus Aurelius Whatsoever he said, all men believed him that as he spake, so he thought, and whatsoever he did, that he did it with a…
- Marcus Aurelius When any shall either impeach thee with false accusations, or hatefully reproach thee, or shall use any such carriage…
- Marcus Aurelius When rising feels hard, remember: I am getting up for a human being’s work. Was I made merely to lie warm, or to act…
- Marcus Aurelius When something seems hard for you, do not judge it impossible. What is possible and fitting for another person is…
- Marcus Aurelius Whether thou speak in the Senate or whether thou speak to any particular, let thy speech In always grave and modest.…
- Marcus Aurelius Who can choose but wonder at them? They will not speak well of them that are at the same time with them, and live with…
- Marcus Aurelius Whoever commits injustice injures themselves. The unjust person makes their own character worse.
- Marcus Aurelius Whosoever thou art, thou art such, thou art cast forth I know not whither out of the general unity, which is according…
- Marcus Aurelius Why should I grieve myself; who never did willingly grieve any other! One thing rejoices one and another thing another.
- Marcus Aurelius Why then should that rather be an unhappiness, than this a happiness? But however, canst thou, O man! term that…
- Marcus Aurelius Will any contemn me? let him look to that, upon what grounds he does it: my care shall be that I may never be found…
- Marcus Aurelius Within ten days, if so happen, thou shalt be esteemed a god of them, who now if thou shalt return to the dogmata and…
- Marcus Aurelius You have suffered greatly because you would not let your ruling mind perform the work for which it was made. Enough.
- Marcus Aurelius You receive what you choose: instead of being good today, you decide to put goodness off until tomorrow.
- Marcus Aurelius Your guiding principles cannot be put out unless you extinguish the thoughts that sustain them, for new thoughts are…
- Musonius Rufus Human nature begins with a leaning toward virtue.
- Musonius Rufus Philosophy is not a matter of appearance; it is attentiveness to what matters and faithful care for it.
- Musonius Rufus Some minds are quicker and some slower; some receive better formation than others. Those with poorer habits need more…
- Seneca A person's character is their own; titles and offices are handed out by chance. Welcome some because they deserve it,…
- Seneca Above all, measure yourself truthfully, since we usually imagine ourselves capable of more than we are.
- Seneca Am I to expect that evil speaking will respect anything, seeing that it respected neither Rutilius nor Cato? Will any…
- Seneca An old person often has no proof of a long life except the count of years.
- Seneca Anger tramples self-restraint underfoot, steeps its hands in slaughter, scatters abroad the limbs of its children: it…
- Seneca As Cicero observed, we dislike fighters who cling to life by any means and admire those who meet danger without…
- Seneca At the same time he reflects that all men are too low to venture to look down upon what is so far above them.
- Seneca Believe me: it is better to keep accounts of your own life than of the grain market.
- Seneca Chance assigns us our parents, people say; yet we may choose the ancestors whose children we wish to be.
- Seneca Death weighs heavily on the person known by everyone else but unknown to himself.
- Seneca Do not commit the fault of making every one, who according to his ability admires your writings, ask how so frail a…
- Seneca Every one when he calls himself innocent looks rather to external witnesses than to his own conscience. How much more…
- Seneca He whose object is to be of service to his countrymen and to all mortals, exercises himself and does good at the same…
- Seneca How few magistrates are there who ought not to be condemned by the very same laws which they administer? How few…
- Seneca “I am not a wise man, and I will not be one in order to feed your spite: so do not require me to be on a level with…
- Seneca I do not see how these very different matters can have any connexion with one another. What is there, I pray you, to…
- Seneca I will keep watch over myself and, most usefully, review each day. We become bad because none of us looks back over…
- Seneca I will not be embarrassed to borrow a fine saying from a poor writer.
- Seneca If you consider sexual passion to have been bestowed on mankind not for the sake of pleasure, but for 341the…
- Seneca If you think fit, my Serenus, let us distinguish between injury and insult. The former is naturally the more grievous,…
- Seneca In the city which possessed that most reverend tribunal, the Court of the Areopagus, which possessed a Senate, and a…
- Seneca Indeed he shut up 136Lysimachus, who was no less his friend than Clitus, in a cage with a lion; yet did this make…
- Seneca Is it then desirable that the gods should show no mercy upon sins and mistakes, and that they should harshly pursue us…
- Seneca It is shameful to hate him whom you praise: but how much more shameful is it to hate a man for something for which he…
- Seneca It is your duty to imitate their constancy in enduring and triumphing over suffering, as far as it is permitted to a…
- Seneca It often condemns a man because it dislikes his patron; it loves and maintains error even when truth is staring it in…
- Seneca It shames an older person to carry only borrowed learning in notebooks. What do you say? Take charge and leave…
- Seneca Let different qualities in different people keep us from quarrelling with them: let us fear to be angry with some,…
- Seneca Let us accomplish something courageous ourselves and take our place among those worthy of imitation.
- Seneca Let us differ inwardly in every way, while outwardly our appearance remains in harmony with those around us.
- Seneca Let us look back upon our own youth, and think how often we then were too slothful in our duty, too impudent in our…
- Seneca Let us seek for some blessing, which does not merely look fine, but is sound and good throughout alike, and most…
- Seneca Look at your father and your grandfather: the former fell into the hands of a foreign murderer: I allowed no man to…
- Seneca Many faults would be avoided if a respected witness stood beside us as we began to err. Let the soul keep an example…
- Seneca Men demand much, and expect much from you: you ought not to have drawn all eyes upon yourself, if you wished to be…
- Seneca Men deserve praise for engaging in profitable studies, even though they stop short of producing any results. Why need…
- Seneca Much peace comes from doing no wrong; the undisciplined live confused and troubled.
- Seneca No vice begins without an excuse, and at first it is modest and easy to restrain. Left alone, it spreads. Every…
- Seneca Nothing honorable is done unwillingly or by force; every noble act is freely chosen.
- Seneca Now I will prove to you that I am not deserting the 242tenets of the Stoics: for they themselves have not deserted…
- Seneca Philosophy asks for a simple life, not a punishing one; simplicity need not be harsh or crude.
- Seneca Philosophy used arrogantly and stubbornly ruins many. Let it remove your own faults, not become a weapon against the…
- Seneca Plato, Zeno, Chrysippus, and many other Stoics spoke well. People make such words their own by doing what they have…
- Seneca Show why the wise avoid drunkenness by its ugly results, not by speeches alone. Pleasures that exceed measure readily…
- Seneca Slaves are allowed to run and take sanctuary at the statue of a god, though the laws allows a slave to be ill-treated…
- Seneca Some gifted minds grasp virtue quickly or generate it themselves. Others, dulled by poor habits, need persistent…
- Seneca Some have been led hither by friendship, some by industry, which finds here a wide field for the display of its…
- Seneca Some one has offered you an insult? Not a greater one, probably, than was offered to the Stoic philosopher Diogenes,…
- Seneca Some one who did not know Marcus Cato struck him in the public bath in his ignorance, for who would knowingly have…
- Seneca Suppose that we are being punished; let us think not only of what we suffer, but of what we have done: let us sit in…
- Seneca The difference between it and irascibility is evident: it is the same as that between a drunken man and a drunkard;…
- Seneca The former will say to you, “In my talk I express the most admirable sentiments, yet I am still weltering amid…
- Seneca The good person does what is honorable despite labor, injury, or danger, and refuses what is shameful despite profit,…
- Seneca The great Socrates would say the same thing to you. “Make me,” he would say, “the conqueror of all nations: let the…
- Seneca The philosopher may own ample wealth, but will not own wealth that which has been torn from another, or which is…
- Seneca The same girl, who would have shrunk from the remedy if he had applied it openly, bore the pain because she did not…
- Seneca The soul may be a ruler or a tyrant. When it honors what is good, it cares for the body and gives no shameful…
- Seneca The whole house mourned for the leisure of its old master, and did not lay aside its mourning until his work was…
- Seneca There is a lesser form of injury, which we must complain of rather than avenge, which the laws also have considered…
- Seneca Think of your son’s handsome person, which you had guarded in perfect purity among all the temptations of a voluptuous…
- Seneca Think you that the people could do any wrong to such a man when they tore away his praetorship or his toga? when they…
- Seneca This is perhaps the very worst quality of cruelty: a man must go on exercising it, and it is impossible for him to…
- Seneca To sum up the matter, I ask you whether Cleanthes, Chrysippus, and Zeno lived in accordance with their doctrine? I am…
- Seneca Tradition tells us that Vatinius, a man born both to be laughed at and hated, was a witty and clever jester. He made…
- Seneca Virtue is the sole good, and no secure good exists apart from it. Virtue belongs to our rational part: firm, truthful…
- Seneca We are infuriated at being reproved, either by reprimand or actual chastisement, although we are sinning at that very…
- Seneca “What then? Will there be no one who will try to do an injury to the wise man?” Yes, some one will try, but the injury…
- Seneca When Fortune has unjustly divided the common stock, and has given over one man to another, though they were born with…
- Seneca When he asked for the watchword Gaius at one time gave him “Venus,” and at another “Priapus,” and by various means…
- Seneca When he was just of your age, at the end of his twenty-second year, he had already hidden daggers under the clothes of…
- Seneca Whoever uses philosophy to heal the self becomes high-minded, confident, and hard to defeat; their stature grows as…
- Seneca With them you may class men whose dull nature and want of self-knowledge reduces them to the level of cattle, mere…
- Seneca Would to heaven that such savagery had contented itself with foreign examples, and that barbarity in anger and…
- Seneca Wrongdoing often comes back upon the one who taught it.
- Seneca You are mistaken, therefore, when you ask me what it is on account of which I seek after virtue: for you are seeking…
- Seneca You enviously compare the glories of others with your own dirty actions, and do not understand how greatly to your…
- Seneca You have coveted a glory which is most rare, and which has been obtained by no emperor before you, that of innocence.…
- Seneca You have entered the arena of the Olympic games, but no one 11else has done so: you have the crown, but not the…
- Seneca You may be sure that one who showed such boldness as a child would end by becoming a great pest both in public and in…
- Seneca You may observe the same thing in human life: no one can merely go wrong by himself, but he must become both the cause…
- Seneca You say, 'I am in terrible pain.' Does bearing it badly lessen the pain at all?
- Seneca You will more easily correct the men themselves by a slight punishment, for he who has some part of his fortune…
- Seneca You will say to me, “Seneca, what are you doing? do you desert your party? I am sure that our Stoic philosophers say…
- Zeno Well-being is achieved through small advances, though it is itself no small achievement.