Search Results for: seneca

Philosophy did not find Plato already a noble man; it made him one.

Philosophy did not find Plato already a noble man; it made him one. – Seneca What does that mean? This is a neat quote, as it gives us a thought on what the study of Philosophy can do for a … Continue reading

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Let us train our minds to desire what the situation demands.

Let us train our minds to desire what the situation demands. – Seneca What does that mean? This is not the best citation ever, but that’s all I have. I find this interesting due to the way it is stated, … Continue reading

Posted in desire, focus, habits, happiness, learning, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

No man can swim ashore and take his baggage with him.

No man can swim ashore and take his baggage with him. – Seneca What does that mean? While this quote has a slightly different meaning in the context of the letter to Lucilius, the basic topic was the of the … Continue reading

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Anger has this poor quality: It refuses to be ruled. Anger rages against truth itself if the truth is shown to be contrary to its own will.

Anger has this poor quality: It refuses to be ruled. Anger rages against truth itself if the truth is shown to be contrary to its own will. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote details but one of the … Continue reading

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If we are lashed and torn by Fortune, let us bear it; it is not cruelty but a struggle, and the oftener we engage in it, the stronger we shall be.

If we are lashed and torn by Fortune, let us bear it; it is not cruelty but a struggle, and the oftener we engage in it, the stronger we shall be. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote has … Continue reading

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Therefore the wise man will lose nothing which he will be able to regard as loss; for the only possession he has is virtue, and of this he can never be robbed.

Therefore the wise man will lose nothing which he will be able to regard as loss; for the only possession he has is virtue, and of this he can never be robbed. – Seneca What does that mean? This is … Continue reading

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Each man, in corrupting others, corrupts himself.

Each man, in corrupting others, corrupts himself. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is part of a larger discussion of patterns of corruption. It talks about how entire communities and even countries have a pattern of what is … Continue reading

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The events of life bear most harshly upon the inexperienced; the yoke is heavy to the tender neck.

The events of life bear most harshly upon the inexperienced; the yoke is heavy to the tender neck. – Seneca What does that mean? This is another great quote, but which had to be trimmed substantially in order to fit … Continue reading

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We should make every effort to be of a grateful disposition.

We should make every effort to be of a grateful disposition. – Seneca What does that mean? This appears to be a misattribution of something which Epictetus said some time after Seneca was dead. Marcus Aurelius even references the quote as being … Continue reading

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It is as foolish to fear death as it is to fear old age; for just as old age follows youth, thus death follows old age.

It is as foolish to fear death as it is to fear old age; for just as old age follows youth, thus death follows old age. – Seneca What does that mean? This is another quote shortened for use on … Continue reading

Posted in attitude, fear, perspective, preparation, truth, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness.

Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness. – Seneca What does that mean? I think this is a great topic for the weekend, don’t you? We all have our issues and our troubles in life. For those who have an issue with … Continue reading

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Associate with people who will improve you.

Associate with people who will improve you. – Seneca What does that mean? As is so often the case, the quote has been shortened to fit within the confines of the structure allowed by Twitter. The longer version of the … Continue reading

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Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. – Seneca What does that mean? At best, this quote is a very loose translation of him quoting something said by someone else. However, despite its questionable pedigree,  I believe this is … Continue reading

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What is harder than rock? What is softer than water? Yet hard rocks are hollowed out by soft water.

What is harder than rock? What is softer than water? Yet hard rocks are hollowed out by soft water. – Seneca What does that mean? This is a neat quote about the power of persistent, as well as consistent, effort. … Continue reading

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There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living.

There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is part of a larger paper, in which he is describing the difficulties in being too busy to breathe and … Continue reading

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