Tag Archives: Seneca

He who has great power should use it lightly.

He who has great power should use it lightly. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is from a play by Seneca, wherein the Greek heroes Pyrrhus (son of Achilles) and Agamemnon are discussing the fate (death) of a … Continue reading

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Buy only what is necessary, not what is convenient. What is unnecessary, even if it costs one cent, it is expensive.

Buy only what is necessary, not what is convenient. What is unnecessary, even if it costs one cent, it is expensive. – Seneca * What does that mean? While widely attributed to Seneca, I couldn’t find it in his works. … Continue reading

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Whatever one of us blames in another, each one will find in his own heart.

Whatever one of us blames in another, each one will find in his own heart. – Seneca What does that mean? This is a translator’s version of “And so each man will find in his own breast the fault which … Continue reading

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Fortune gives us nothing which we can really own.

Fortune gives us nothing which we can really own. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote makes me wonder what we really own. According to the quote, nothing gained from fortune (luck) is really ours to own. That makes … Continue reading

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A kingdom founded on injustice never lasts.

A kingdom founded on injustice never lasts. – Seneca What does that mean? This is also alternately translated in the following manner: “Unjust rule never abides continually.” This quote is an interesting observation of the basics of human nature. Humans … Continue reading

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For many men, the acquisition of wealth does not end their troubles, it only changes them.

For many men, the acquisition of wealth does not end their troubles, it only changes them. – Seneca What does that mean? This is a meta-quote, with Seneca quoting Epicurus : “The acquisition of riches has been for many men, … Continue reading

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But [Injury] does not give Virtue; therefore she cannot take it away.

But [Injury] does not give Virtue; therefore she cannot take it away. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is especially interesting in the translation. The longer excerpt (which I have included at the bottom of the post) doesn’t … Continue reading

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To have whatever one wants is in no man’s power. But it is within one’s power to not want what one does not have.

To have whatever one wants is in no man’s power. But it is within one’s power to not want what one does not have. – Seneca What does that mean? This is an quote from a passage where the discussion … Continue reading

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As one falling headlong has no control over his body… so with the mind when it plunges into anger, love or the other passions.

As one falling headlong has no control over his body… so with the mind when it plunges into anger, love or the other passions. – Seneca What does that mean? While the quote is from a section where he discusses … Continue reading

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I cannot tell you that I lose nothing, but whatever I do lose I can tell you how and why the loss occurred.

I cannot tell you that I lose nothing, but whatever I do lose I can tell you how and why the loss occurred. – Seneca What does that mean? In the original text, he is moving between discussing the value … Continue reading

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I never spend a day in idleness. I set aside even part of the night for study.

I never spend a day in idleness. I set aside even part of the night for study. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is from a longer passage in which he talks about his dedication to his art, … Continue reading

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It’s the quality of books, not the quantity, that matters. Careful selections benefit; great and varied assortments serve only for delight.

It’s the quality of books, not the quantity, that matters. Careful selections benefit; great and varied assortments serve only for delight. – Seneca What does that mean? This was a very interesting post to me, given my love for books. … Continue reading

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Wisdom and Folly are taking opposite sides. Which shall I join?

Wisdom and Folly are taking opposite sides. Which shall I join? – Seneca What does that mean? In the letter from which this quote is taken, Seneca is discussing the difference between Stoics and others when it comes to defining … Continue reading

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Disaster is Virtue’s opportunity.

Disaster is Virtue’s opportunity. – Seneca What does that mean? Also translated as Calamity is Virtue’s opportunity, it is a call to us to not shrink from the unpleasant things which fall our way in life. This quote is a … Continue reading

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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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