Seneca Quotes

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

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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Male vivet quisquis nesciet bene mori.

But the wise man is fortified against all inroads; he is alert; he will not retreat before the attack of poverty, or of sorrow, or of disgrace, or of pain. He will walk undaunted both against them and among them.

What I advise you to do is no to be unhappy before the crisis comes.

You have, dearest Serene, things that can protect tranquility, things that restore it, things that resist creeping escapes. Be it known, however, that none of these things is sufficient for those who hold a feeble matter, unless a constant concern surrounds the slipping mind.

Many people could have achieved wisdom if they had not imagined they had already achieved it.

[Mucius] might have accomplished something more successful in that camp, but never anything more brave.

The highest good is a mind that scorns the happenings of chance, and rejoices only in virtue.

It doesn’t matter what you bear, it matters how you bear it.

One who asks fearfully teaches us to say no.

Before I became old I tried to live well; now that I am old, I shall try to die well; but dying well means dying gladly.

Crimes often return upon the teacher.

There’s no emotion more eager for vengeance than anger, and for that very reason, none less suited to the taking of vengeance.

Mens impudicam facere, non casus, solet.

Magna servitus est magna fortuna.

Vis tu cogitare istum quem servum tuum vocas ex isdem seminibus ortum eodem frui caelo, aeque spirare, aeque vivere, aeque mori! tam tu illum videre ingenuum potes quam ille te servum.