Theme
Justice
335 passages
- Diogenes Laertius Diogenes of Sinope said that we exchange what is precious for what is cheap, and sometimes the cheap for the precious.
- Diogenes Laertius When a young man spoke foolishly, Zeno told him: ‘We have two ears and one mouth so that we may listen twice as much…
- Epictetus A fine and good person neither quarrels nor, as far as possible, permits quarrelling. Education teaches what belongs…
- Epictetus A public platform and a cell are both places, one elevated and one lowly; yet in either your power of choice can…
- Epictetus Among all things, some are good, some bad, and some indifferent. Virtue and what shares in it are good; vice and what…
- Epictetus Ask yourself at first light: What do I lack for freedom from passion and for peace? What am I: merely body, owner, or…
- Epictetus Don't allow such considerations as these distress you. "I will live in dishonor, and be nobody anywhere." For, if…
- Epictetus Don't say that he does it ill, but in a mighty little time. Does anyone drink a great quantity of wine? Don't say that…
- Epictetus Duties are universally measured by relations. Is anyone a father? If so, it is implied that the children should take…
- Epictetus Eat, drink, dress, marry, raise children, take part in civic life, and bear difficult relatives and neighbors. Show by…
- Epictetus Every matter has two handles: one by which it can be carried, another by which it cannot. When a brother wrongs you,…
- Epictetus Everything has two handles, the one by which it may be carried, the other by which it cannot. If your brother acts…
- Epictetus Good and bad lie in our deliberate choices. Things outside choice are neither good nor bad in themselves.
- Epictetus Good lies in a certain use of rational choice, and evil in another. Externals are merely material for that choice,…
- Epictetus Guard the good that is yours in every action. With all else, use what comes as reason allows; otherwise you will be…
- Epictetus If you seek something good, draw it from yourself.
- Epictetus In company, do not dwell too often or at length on your achievements and misfortunes; your own stories delight you…
- Epictetus Once standards are established, things can be tested against them. Philosophy examines and protects those standards;…
- Epictetus These reasonings are unconnected: "I am richer than you, therefore I am better"; "I am more eloquent than you,…
- 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 troubling news reaches you, remember that no report can damage your power of choice. It may tell you of death;…
- 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 see anyone weeping in grief because his son has gone abroad, or is dead, or because he has suffered in his…
- 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 A branch is cut off by another, but he that hates and is averse, cuts himself off from his neighbour, and knows not…
- Marcus Aurelius A lamp keeps giving light until its oil is gone. Why should your truthfulness, justice, and self-command not shine…
- Marcus Aurelius A man without ever the least appearance of anger, or any other passion; able at the same time most exactly to observe…
- Marcus Aurelius A very ridiculous thing it is, that any man should dispense with vice and wickedness in himself, which is in his power…
- Marcus Aurelius After doing well and helping another, why seek a third reward—praise for the act or a favor returned?
- Marcus Aurelius After one consideration, man is nearest unto us; as we are bound to do them good, and to bear with them. But as he may…
- 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 of Macedon, and he that dressed his mules, when once dead both came to one. For either they were both…
- Marcus Aurelius All men are made one for another: either then teach them better, or bear with them.
- 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 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 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 thou thyself, whoever thou art, were made for the perfection and consummation, being a member of it, of a common…
- Marcus Aurelius As virtue and wickedness consist not in passion, but in action; so neither doth the true good or evil of a reasonable…
- Marcus Aurelius At every moment keep your mind firmly on the work before you, as a human being, doing it with plain dignity, care,…
- Marcus Aurelius At the cause, or the matter? Behold either by itself, is either of that weight and moment indeed? And besides these,…
- Marcus Aurelius At the conceit and apprehension that such and such a one hath sinned, thus reason with thyself; What do I know whether…
- 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 Begin yet higher, even from this: if atoms be not the beginning of all things, than which to believe nothing can be…
- Marcus Aurelius Build your life deed by deed, satisfied when each reaches its proper end. If an outward obstacle appears, it cannot…
- 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 Dig within yourself: there is a spring of goodness there, ready to flow whenever you continue digging.
- 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 be tossed about. Bring every impulse before justice, and preserve your sound judgment whenever appearances…
- 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 let yourself become an emperor in spirit; remain simple, upright, kind, just, and strong in your proper work.
- 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 against thy will, nor contrary to the community, nor without due examination, nor with reluctancy. Affect…
- 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 Ever consider and think upon the world as being but one living substance, and having but one soul, and how all things…
- Marcus Aurelius Every soul lacks truth unwillingly; the same is true of justice, moderation, and goodwill. Keep this in mind, and you…
- Marcus Aurelius Examine closely the governing principles of others, especially the wise: see what they avoid and what they pursue.
- Marcus Aurelius First, do not be shaken. Then look directly at the task, remembering that your aim is to be a good person. Do what…
- Marcus Aurelius Fit and accommodate thyself to that estate and to those occurrences, which by the destinies have been annexed unto…
- 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 without relation unto God, thou shalt never speed in any worldly actions; nor on the other side in any divine,…
- Marcus Aurelius From Alexander the Grammarian, to be un-reprovable myself, and not reproachfully to reprehend any man for a barbarism,…
- Marcus Aurelius Getting what you wanted might feel pleasant, but that is why pleasure can mislead. Consider instead the greater goods:…
- Marcus Aurelius Has another done wrong to me? That is for him to consider; he has his own character and concerns. I have what…
- Marcus Aurelius Hath not yet experience taught thee to fly from the plague? For a far greater plague is the corruption of the mind,…
- Marcus Aurelius Have I done anything charitably? then am I benefited by it. See that this upon all occasions may present itself unto…
- Marcus Aurelius He that knoweth not what the world is, knoweth not where he himself is. And he that knoweth not what the world was…
- 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 Herein doth consist happiness of life, for a man to know thoroughly the true nature of everything; what is the matter,…
- Marcus Aurelius Him that offends, to teach with love and meek ness, and to show him his error. But if thou canst not, then to blame…
- 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 happy is man in this his power that hath been granted unto him: that he needs not do anything but what God shall…
- Marcus Aurelius Human joy lies in proper human activity: kindness toward others, resistance to mere appetite, trustworthy judgment,…
- 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 asked to spell your name, you would give the letters calmly, even if the questioner became angry. So remember that…
- Marcus Aurelius If he have sinned, his is the harm, not mine. But perchance he hath not.
- 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 my present apprehension of the object be right, and my present action charitable, and this, towards whatsoever doth…
- 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 scorns me, that is their concern. Mine is to do and say nothing shameful. If someone hates me, I will…
- Marcus Aurelius If thou beest quick-sighted, be so in matter of judgment, and best discretion, saith he.
- Marcus Aurelius If to understand and to be reasonable be common unto all men, then is that reason, for which we are termed reasonable,…
- Marcus Aurelius If we call good and bad only what depends on our own choice, we have no reason to accuse the gods or resent other…
- Marcus Aurelius If you find anything in human life better than justice, truth, self-command, and courage—better than a mind sufficient…
- Marcus Aurelius In the morning as soon as thou art awaked, when thy judgment, before either thy affections, or external objects have…
- Marcus Aurelius In the whole constitution of man, I see not any virtue contrary to justice, whereby it may be resisted and opposed.…
- Marcus Aurelius Injustice often appears not only in what you do, but in what you fail to do.
- Marcus Aurelius Is it not a cruel thing to forbid men to affect those things, which they conceive to agree best with their own…
- 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 It is most needful that thou shouldst always remember this. For so shalt thou be far more gentle and moderate towards…
- Marcus Aurelius it is not thine, but another man's sin. Why should it trouble thee? Let him look to it, whose sin it is.
- 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 Learn the art of assent, and keep impulses reserved, directed toward the common good, and measured by true value.
- Marcus Aurelius Let death surprise me when it will, and where it will, I may be εὔμοιρος, or a happy man, nevertheless. For he is a…
- 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 him look to that. He is master of his own disposition, and of his own operation. I for my part am in the meantime…
- Marcus Aurelius Let it be thy earnest and incessant care as a Roman and a man to perform whatsoever it is that thou art about, with…
- 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 this be thy only joy, and thy only comfort, from one sociable kind action without intermission to pass unto…
- Marcus Aurelius Let this then be thy first ground, that thou art part of that universe, which is governed by nature. Then secondly,…
- Marcus Aurelius Let thy course ever be the most compendious way. The most compendious, is that which is according to nature: that is,…
- Marcus Aurelius Let thy mind penetrate both into the effects, and into the causes. Rejoice thyself with true simplicity, and modesty;…
- 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 Man, God, the world, every one in their kind, bear some fruits. All things have their proper time to bear. Though by…
- Marcus Aurelius Meditate often upon the connection of all things in the world; and upon the mutual relation that they have one unto…
- Marcus Aurelius My city and country as I am Antoninus, is Rome; as a man, the whole world. Those things therefore that are expedient…
- Marcus Aurelius 'My heart smiled within me.' 'They will accuse even virtue herself; with heinous and opprobrious words.'
- Marcus Aurelius My reasoned choice is independent of my neighbor’s, as of their body or breath. Though made for cooperation, each…
- 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 man can hinder thee to live as thy nature doth require. Nothing can happen unto thee, but what the common good of…
- Marcus Aurelius Not as though thou hadst thousands of years to live. Death hangs over thee: whilst yet thou livest, whilst thou…
- Marcus Aurelius Not in syllogisms, and logical subtilties, not in wealth, not in honour and reputation, not in pleasure. In none of…
- Marcus Aurelius Not only now henceforth to have a common breath, or to hold correspondency of breath, with that air, that compasseth…
- Marcus Aurelius Not to wander out of the way, but upon every motion and desire, to perform that which is just: and ever to be careful…
- Marcus Aurelius Nothing is more wretched than a wolf posing as a sheep. Flee false friendship. If you are good, candid, and…
- Marcus Aurelius Now much time and leisure doth he gain, who is not curious to know what his neighbour hath said, or hath done, or hath…
- Marcus Aurelius O man! what ado doest thou keep? Do what thy nature doth now require. Resolve upon it, if thou mayest: and take no…
- 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 all my thoughts and cares, one only thing shall be the object, that I myself do nothing which to the proper…
- Marcus Aurelius Of all unreasonable creatures, there is but one unreasonable soul; and of all that are reasonable, but one reasonable…
- Marcus Aurelius Of Catulus, not to contemn any friend's expostulation, though unjust, but to strive to reduce him to his former…
- Marcus Aurelius Of Fronto, to how much envy and fraud and hypocrisy the state of a tyrannous king is subject unto, and how they who…
- Marcus Aurelius Of him also, to observe a constant tenor, (not interrupted, with any other cares and distractions,) in the study and…
- Marcus Aurelius Of his, that thou mayest consider whether in the estate of ignorance, or of knowledge. And then also must thou call to…
- Marcus Aurelius Of my grandfather Verus I have learned to be gentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. From the fame…
- Marcus Aurelius On waking, remind yourself that you will meet intrusive, ungrateful, vain, deceitful, jealous, and irritable people;…
- Marcus Aurelius One person helps and demands repayment; another remembers the debt; a third does good like a vine bears fruit—then…
- 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 People may oppose your rational path but cannot prevent sound action. Do not let them drive away your goodwill; keep…
- Marcus Aurelius Put aside what is past, leave the future to the larger order, and direct the present toward reverence and justice:…
- Marcus Aurelius Reason moves freely when it accepts no falsehood, aims only at the common good, desires only what it can govern, and…
- Marcus Aurelius Reflect often on how all things are connected and depend on one another. They are woven together, each following…
- Marcus Aurelius Return quickly to your own reason, to the reason of the whole, and to your neighbor's: make your mind just, remember…
- Marcus Aurelius Revere your power of understanding: it keeps the ruling mind from admitting what conflicts with nature, reason, care…
- Marcus Aurelius Secondly, when she either is averse from any man, or led by contrary desires or affections, tending to his hurt and…
- Marcus Aurelius Set your mind first on unquestioned goods—wisdom, self-command, justice, courage—and the crowd's claims will lose…
- Marcus Aurelius Shall I do it? I will; so the end of my action be to do good unto men. Doth anything by way of cross or adversity…
- Marcus Aurelius She cannot be dyed or infected by it. What then must I do, that I may have within myself an overflowing fountain, and…
- Marcus Aurelius Sincere kindness cannot be overcome. What can a malicious person do when you remain kind and gently correct them, if…
- Marcus Aurelius Skill at defeating an opponent does not make someone more civic-minded, modest, prepared for hardship, or patient with…
- Marcus Aurelius Socrates said, 'What will you have? the souls of reasonable, or unreasonable creatures? Of reasonable. But what? Of…
- Marcus Aurelius Soon you will die, yet you remain insincere, unsettled, and suspicious of externals; you are not gracious, though…
- Marcus Aurelius Straight of itself, not made straight.
- Marcus Aurelius Take heed lest at any time thou stand so affected, though towards unnatural evil men, as ordinary men are commonly one…
- Marcus Aurelius That I have had such a brother, who by his own example might stir me up to think of myself; and by his respect and…
- Marcus Aurelius That rational essence by which the universe is governed, is for community and society; and therefore hath it both made…
- Marcus Aurelius That which is not good for the bee-hive, cannot be good for the bee.
- Marcus Aurelius The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.
- Marcus Aurelius The Chaldeans and Astrologians having foretold the deaths of divers, were afterwards themselves surprised by the…
- Marcus Aurelius The end and object of a rational constitution is, to do nothing rashly, to be kindly affected towards men, and in all…
- Marcus Aurelius The finest revenge is refusing to become like the one who wronged you.
- Marcus Aurelius The form of the Athenians' prayer did run thus: 'O rain, rain, good Jupiter, upon all the grounds and fields that…
- Marcus Aurelius The Gods themselves are good unto such; yea and in some things, (as in matter of health, of wealth, of honour,) are…
- Marcus Aurelius The joy that thou takest in the exercise of bounty, is not yet grounded upon a due ratiocination and right…
- Marcus Aurelius The Lacedæmonians at their public spectacles were wont to appoint seats and forms for their strangers in the shadow,…
- Marcus Aurelius The most weighty and serious, if rightly esteemed, but as puppies, biting one another: or untoward children, now…
- Marcus Aurelius The sun seemeth to be shed abroad. And indeed it is diffused but not effused. For that diffusion of it is a τάσις or…
- Marcus Aurelius The unjust person defies the order of nature, for rational creatures were made for one another’s benefit, not their…
- 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 but one light of the sun, though it be intercepted by walls and mountains, and other thousand objects. There…
- Marcus Aurelius There is nothing more shameful than perfidious friendship. Above all things, that must be avoided. However true…
- Marcus Aurelius These are enough: sound judgment in the present, action for the shared good in the present, and grateful acceptance in…
- Marcus Aurelius These things thou must always have in mind: What is the nature of the universe, and what is mine—in particular: This…
- Marcus Aurelius These two rules, thou must have always in a readiness. First, do nothing at all, but what reason proceeding from that…
- 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 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 Thou art now ready to die, and yet hast thou not attained to that perfect simplicity: thou art yet subject to many…
- Marcus Aurelius Thou hast no time nor opportunity to read. What then? Hast thou not time and opportunity to exercise thyself, not to…
- Marcus Aurelius To a reasonable creature, the same action is both according to nature, and according to reason.
- Marcus Aurelius To go on straight, whither right and reason directed him, and by so doing to follow God, was the only thing that he…
- Marcus Aurelius To grow together like fellow branches in matter of good correspondence and affection; but not in matter of opinions.…
- Marcus Aurelius To live with the Gods. He liveth with the Gods, who at all times affords unto them the spectacle of a soul, both…
- Marcus Aurelius To pierce and penetrate into the estate of every one's understanding that thou hast to do with: as also to make the…
- Marcus Aurelius To righteousness, in speaking the truth freely, and without ambiguity; and in doing all things justly and discreetly.…
- Marcus Aurelius To them that are sick of the jaundice, honey seems bitter; and to them that are bitten by a mad dog, the water…
- 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 Unto my free-will my neighbour's free-will, whoever he be, (as his life, or his bode), is altogether indifferent. For…
- Marcus Aurelius Use thyself when any man speaks unto thee, so to hearken unto him, as that in the interim thou give not way to any…
- Marcus Aurelius We all work to one effect, some willingly, and with a rational apprehension of what we do: others without any such…
- 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 harms the hive cannot benefit the bee.
- 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 remains worth valuing? To restrict action and restraint to what accords with the discipline that shapes us. This…
- 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 What work are you here to do? To become a decent human being.
- Marcus Aurelius Whatever others say or do, I am bound to goodness—like gold or an emerald that keeps its own color regardless of what…
- Marcus Aurelius Whatsoever any man either doth or saith, thou must be good; not for any man's sake, but for thine own nature's sake;…
- 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 Whatsoever is, was made for something: as a horse, a vine. Why wonderest thou? The sun itself will say of itself, I…
- Marcus Aurelius When a training partner strikes you roughly, do not hate or suspect them; watch carefully and avoid wisely, without…
- Marcus Aurelius When another wrongs you, ask at once what they thought good or bad in doing it. Seeing this, you will pity rather than…
- Marcus Aurelius When another's fault provokes you, turn at once to your own related errors—your attachment to gain, pleasure, or…
- Marcus Aurelius When getting up is difficult, remember that nature made you to work with others. Even animals share sleep; our proper…
- Marcus Aurelius When someone errs, correct them gently and show the overlooked point; if you cannot, fault yourself—or no one.
- Marcus Aurelius When thou hast done well, and another is benefited by thy action, must thou like a very fool look for a third thing…
- Marcus Aurelius When thou wilt comfort and cheer thyself, call to mind the several gifts and virtues of them, whom thou dost daily…
- Marcus Aurelius Whensoever any man doth trespass against other, presently consider with thyself what it was that he did suppose to be…
- Marcus Aurelius Wherever one is able to live, one can live well; even in the business of the courts, a good life is possible.
- 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 rage at bad breath or body odor? Such a body produces such effects. If someone can understand their impact, use…
- Marcus Aurelius Why should I grieve myself; who never did willingly grieve any other! One thing rejoices one and another thing another.
- 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 Wind up thyself into thyself. Such is the nature of thy reasonable commanding part, as that if it exercise justice,…
- 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 can humble your pride, master pleasure and pain, set ambition aside, and meet foolish, thankless people without…
- Marcus Aurelius You will sooner find earth separated from the ground than a human being wholly apart from other people.
- Marcus Aurelius Your long wandering proves that the art of living was not found in logic, wealth, reputation, or pleasure. It lies in…
- Musonius Rufus A worthy ruler is necessarily philosophical, and the true philosopher has a kingly character from the beginning.
- Musonius Rufus Human nature begins with a leaning toward virtue.
- Musonius Rufus It is better to earn a reputation for benefiting many than for lavish living; spending on people is worthier than…
- 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…
- Plutarch Cato cultivated the public speech that can move a people, but he did not rehearse for display and spoke only when he…
- Seneca A king may be killed by a slave, or a serpent, or an arrow: but no one can be saved except by some one who is greater…
- Seneca A person's character is their own; titles and offices are handed out by chance. Welcome some because they deserve it,…
- Seneca A prince generally inflicts punishment for one of two reasons: he wishes either to assert his own rights or those of…
- Seneca A tyrant differs from a king in deeds, not in title: for the elder Dionysius deserves to be preferred before many…
- 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 Be assured that the same thing would be the case if no one’s offence is pardoned: it will quickly be discovered how…
- Seneca Clemency, then, makes princes safer as well as more respected, and is a glory to empires besides being their most…
- Seneca Consequently, the empire of the world has almost always remained in the hands of those nations who enjoy a milder…
- Seneca Do not commit the fault of making every one, who according to his ability admires your writings, ask how so frail a…
- Seneca Even Caesar, who may do all things, may not do many things for this very reason: his watchfulness protects all men’s…
- Seneca Every one when he calls himself innocent looks rather to external witnesses than to his own conscience. How much more…
- Seneca Finally, the other passions seize upon individuals; anger is the only one which sometimes possesses a whole state. No…
- Seneca He best knows the time at which he ought to show favour to each man: I will use my utmost efforts to prevent his…
- Seneca He who follows others who have started before him on the wrong road is surely excusable for having wandered on the…
- Seneca He who strives with a man makes himself that man’s rival, and must be on equal terms with him before he can overcome…
- 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 Hecato says: no herbs, potions, or spells are needed for this charm—if you want love, begin by loving.
- Seneca Hold in your bosom Novatilla, who soon will present you with great-grandchildren, she whom I had so entirely adopted…
- Seneca How few magistrates are there who ought not to be condemned by the very same laws which they administer? How few…
- 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 know, however, that there are some who imagine that clemency only saves the life of every villain, because clemency…
- Seneca If man, as they argue, seeks for quiet and repose, what virtue is there which is more agreeable to his nature than…
- Seneca If you consider sexual passion to have been bestowed on mankind not for the sake of pleasure, but for 341the…
- Seneca In the city which possessed that most reverend tribunal, the Court of the Areopagus, which possessed a Senate, and a…
- Seneca In this very same instance I will give you an example of a good prince, which you may compare with a good father.
- 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 accords with nature to love our friends and rejoice at their progress as though it were our own. Without this…
- Seneca It is a speech which ought to be spoken 416before a meeting of all mankind, whose words all kings and princes ought to…
- Seneca It is a womanish thing to rage with passion; it is the part of wild beasts, and that, too, not of the most noble ones,…
- Seneca It is possible to discover certain inconsistencies in the definition which comes nearer the truth than all the rest,…
- 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 that of good parents, who sometimes scold their children goodnaturedly, sometimes threaten them, and sometimes…
- Seneca It is, therefore, most commonly 419found in the worst people; there are old women and girls who are affected by the…
- Seneca It is your duty to imitate their constancy in enduring and triumphing over suffering, as far as it is permitted to a…
- Seneca Keep a benefit as one keeps treasure buried for a time, drawing on it when needed. Nature calls us to help all people;…
- Seneca Let different qualities in different people keep us from quarrelling with them: let us fear to be angry with some,…
- Seneca Let not our ears be easily lent to calumnious talk: let us know and be on our guard against this fault of human…
- Seneca Let us accomplish something courageous ourselves and take our place among those worthy of imitation.
- Seneca Let us decide by exact definition this other slippery matter, the true nature of pardon, and we shall then perceive…
- 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 take examples for great kingdoms from smaller ones. There are many forms of royalty: a prince reigns over his…
- Seneca Let your own goodness of heart be gradually spread and diffused throughout the whole body of the empire, and all parts…
- Seneca Make yourself as grateful as you can. Gratitude benefits us greatly and returns its payment to the giver.
- 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 therefore love their own safety, when they draw up vast legions in battle on behalf of one man, when they rush to…
- Seneca Much peace comes from doing no wrong; the undisciplined live confused and troubled.
- Seneca No creature is more self-willed, requires more careful management, or ought to be treated with greater indulgence than…
- Seneca Nothing can be imagined which is more becoming to a sovereign than clemency, by whatever title and right he may be set…
- Seneca Nothing honorable is done unwillingly or by force; every noble act is freely chosen.
- Seneca Nothing, I think, is more admirable than that those who are in high places should pardon many shortcomings in others,…
- Seneca Nothing is more unjust than that any one should inherit the quarrels of his father. Whenever we are loth to pardon any…
- 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 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 Pray, Alexander, what is the difference between your throwing Lysimachus into a lion’s den and tearing his flesh with…
- 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 So, too, anger is in itself hideous and by no means to be feared; yet it is feared by many, just as a hideous mask is…
- 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 Sorrow is awkward at reviewing the position of affairs, at devising useful expedients, avoiding dangerous courses, and…
- Seneca The better a man is, the more frequently he is wont to suffer from your indiscriminate rage, you who are to be feared…
- Seneca The cruelty even of private men has sometimes been revenged by their slaves in spite of the certainty that they will…
- Seneca The first of these I shall only touch upon lightly, for I know that your heart loves nothing belonging to your…
- Seneca The good person does what is honorable despite labor, injury, or danger, and refuses what is shameful despite profit,…
- Seneca The greatest teachers divide philosophy into moral, natural, and rational study. Moral study orders the soul; natural…
- Seneca The leading man in the state, and one who, according to tradition, was noted among the ancient leaders of the state…
- Seneca The man did it because he was ordered to do it. Who but an unjust person can be angry with what is done under…
- 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 services of a good citizen are never thrown away: he does good by being heard and seen, by his expression, his…
- Seneca The sinner ought, therefore, to be corrected both by warning and by force, both by gentle and harsh means, and may be…
- 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 unlearned think that its opposite is strictness: but no virtue is the opposite of another virtue. What, then, is…
- Seneca The wretched man did not lose his readiness of speech; his face did not change. “Every kind of dinner,” said he, “is…
- Seneca Think, moreover, how full of risk is the great task which you have undertaken: you have to deal with the human…
- Seneca This is not anger, it is ferocity: for it does not do hurt because it has received injury: but is even willing to…
- 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 This may be that of the Athenians or Carthaginians, or of any other city which does not belong to all men but to some…
- Seneca To rejoice and be glad is the proper and natural function of virtue: it is as much beneath her dignity to be angry, as…
- Seneca To sum up the matter, I ask you whether Cleanthes, Chrysippus, and Zeno lived in accordance with their doctrine? I am…
- Seneca Unable to serve in one public role, serve in another. If speech is denied, offer a quiet example. If civic duties are…
- Seneca Virtue is the sole good, and no secure good exists apart from it. Virtue belongs to our rational part: firm, truthful…
- Seneca Whatever he meant, it was a magnanimous answer. Some one may say, “After this Gaius might have let him live.” Kanus…
- Seneca When as they proceeded neither roots nor herbs were to be found in the sand, and they found a wilderness destitute…
- Seneca When Fortune has unjustly divided the common stock, and has given over one man to another, though they were born with…
- Seneca When sponges were not forthcoming, he ordered the wretched men’s clothes to be torn up, and the rags stuffed into…
- Seneca Which will he go to meet first? which part of the universal conspiracy will he first oppose? His victory will drag him…
- Seneca Why make misfortune heavier by lamenting it? It is the stronger course to meet adversity directly. The more precarious…
- Seneca Why, wherefore is the people angry with gladiators, and so unjust as to think itself wronged if they do not die…
- Seneca Will any one give this passion as an assistant and companion to virtue, although it disturbs calm reason, without…
- 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 as yet only in the first stage of error, and do not go wrong seriously, although you do so often: then I will…
- Seneca You are indignant at being answered back by your slave, your freedman, your wife, or your client: and then you…
- Seneca You ask, what this post is? it is that of being a man. The wise man has another help, of the opposite kind to this;…
- Seneca You cannot stray away from your position; it besets you, and follows you with mighty pomp wherever you go. This…
- 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 seen your friend in a rage with the porter of some lawyer or rich man, because he has sent him back when…
- 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 see how free from any mental disturbance a man ought to be who has to weigh and consider all this, when he deals…
- Seneca You waste your pains: you want to do what is certain to be done. You say, “I do not wish necessarily to kill him, but…
- 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…
- Seneca Your father sewed up more parricides in sacks during five years, than we hear of in all previous centuries. As long as…
- Seneca Your great-great-grandfather spared the vanquished: for whom could he have ruled over, had he not spared them? He…
- Zeno Better to stumble on your feet than to stumble with your speech.
- Zeno You may seize my body by force, but my mind remains with Stilpo.