Seneca Quotes

Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman and dramatist (c. 4 BCE–65 CE)

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Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c. 4 BC – A.D. 65), often known simply as Seneca, or Seneca the Younger, was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and humorist. He was the son of Seneca the Elder.

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Native Name: Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Alternative Names: Seneca the Younger • the Younger Seneca • Lucio Anneo Seneca • Annaeus Seneca • Lucius Annaeus Seneca minor • Lucius Annaeus Seneca Iunior • L. Annæus Seneca • Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger

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A gift consists not in what is done or given, but in the intention of the giver or doer.

Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbour he is making for, no wind is the right wind.

Meanwhile, hold fast to this thought, and grip it close: yield not to adversity; trust not to prosperity; keep before your eyes the full scope of Fortune’s power, as if she would surely do whatever is in her power to do.

But he has no fear; unconquered he looks down from a lofty height upon his sufferings.

Socrates is reported to have replied, when a certain person complained of having received no benefit from his travels: “It serves you right! You travelled in your own company!”

These actions are not essentially difficult; it is we ourselves that are soft and flabby.

Neither infants nor those whose minds are afflicted, are afraid of death; it would be repellent, if our reason did not offer us the same contentment to which they are led by their folly.

We often want one thing and pray for another, not telling the truth even to the gods.

All cruelty springs from weakness

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

But how much more highly do I think of these men! They can do these things, but decline to do them. To whom that ever tried have these tasks proved false? To what man did they not seem easier in the doing? Our lack of confidence is not the result of difficulty. The difficulty comes from our lack of confidence.

Death is not an evil. What is it then? The one law making has that is free of all discrimination.

Aren't you ashamed to keep for yourself just the remnants...to devote to wisdom only that time which can't be spent on business?

People learn as they teach.

There is no more stupefying thing than anger, nothing more bent on its own strength. If successful, none more arrogant, if foiled, none more insane—since it’s not driven back by weariness even in defeat, when fortune removes its adversary it turns its teeth on itself.