Seneca: The wise man knows that all those who strut…

Status can make foolishness look impressive. A polished title, expensive clothing, a large audience, or visible fitness may persuade us that someone has sound judgment. Seneca asks us to look beneath the costume. People with influence are still subject to vanity, fear, greed, and confusion—just as we are. This is not a license for cynicism or resentment. It is a reminder not to outsource your thinking to prestige. The famous founder may give bad advice. The confident executive may be hiding chaos. The person with fewer markers of success may have excellent character. Today, pay attention to what someone consistently does, not merely what surrounds them. Are they fair when they have power? Do they keep commitments when it is inconvenient? Do they take responsibility? Apply the same test to yourself. Build a life that is sound on the inside, so you do not need an impressive costume to feel substantial.