Seneca quotes - page 15

The deferring of anger is the best antidote to anger. (Seneca)
If thou art a man, admire those who attempt great things, even though they fail. View quote
Seneca
Genius always gives its best at first; prudence, at last. View quote
Seneca
Slavery takes hold of few, but many take hold of slavery. View quote
Seneca
For many men, the acquisition of wealth does not end their troubles, it only changes them. View quote
Seneca
Expecting is the greatest impediment to living. In anticipation of tomorrow, it loses today. View quote
Seneca
The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity. View quote
Seneca
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. View quote
Seneca
Anger is like those ruins which smash themselves on what they fall. View quote
Seneca
It is the failing of youth not to be able to restrain its own violence. View quote
Seneca
"Although," said he [Cato], "all the world has fallen under one man's sway, although Caesar's legions guard the land, his fleets the sea, and Caesar's troops beset the city gates, yet Cato has a way of escape; with one single hand he will open a wide path to freedom. This sword, unstained and blameless even in civil war, shall at last do good and noble service: the freedom which it could not give to his country it shall give to Cato! (Seneca)
Our feeling about every obligation depends in each case upon the spirit in which the benefit is conferred; we weigh not the bulk of the gift, but the quality of the good-will which prompted it. View quote
Seneca
Virtue alone affords everlasting and peace-giving joy. View quote
Seneca
Apply reason to difficulties; harsh circumstances can be softened, narrow limits can be widened, and burdensome things can be made to press less severely on those who bear them cleverly. View quote
Seneca
Kindly remember that he whom you call your slave sprang from the same stock, is smiled upon by the same skies, and on equal terms with yourself breathes, lives and dies. View quote
Seneca
Our lack of confidence is not the result of difficulty. The difficulty comes from our lack of confidence. View quote
Seneca
We are all chained to fortune: the chain of one is made of gold, and wide, while that of another is short and rusty. View quote
Seneca
Tis the upright mind that holds true sovereignty. View quote
Seneca
Toward good men God has the mind of a father, he cherishes for them a manly love, and he says, "Let them be harassed by toil, by suffering, by losses, in order that they may gather true strength." Bodies grown fat through sloth are weak, and not only labour, but even movement and their very weight cause them to break down. Unimpaired prosperity cannot withstand a single blow; but he who has struggled constantly with his ills becomes hardened through suffering; and yields to no misfortune; nay, even if he falls, he still fights upon his knees. View quote
Seneca
A golden bit does not make a better horse. View quote
Seneca
You are doing an excellent thing, one which will be wholesome for you, if, as you write me, you are persisting in your effort to attain sound understanding; it is foolish to pray for this when you can acquire it from yourself. We do not need to uplift our hands towards heaven, or to beg the keeper of a temple to let us approach his idol's ear, as if in this way our prayers were more likely to be heard. A god is near you, with you, and in you. This is what I mean, Lucilius: there sits a holy spirit within us, one who marks our good and bad deeds, and is our a guardian. (Seneca)
All savageness is a sign of weakness. View quote
Seneca
That most knowing of persons – gossip. View quote
Seneca
No man expects such exact fidelity as a traitor. View quote
Seneca
It is too late to spare when you reach the dregs of the cask. View quote
Seneca