Seneca the Younger Quotes

He robs present ills of their power who has perceived their coming beforehand.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Beforehand Come Foresight Present
The intellect must not be kept at consistent tension, but diverted by pastimes…. The mind must have relaxation, and will rise stronger and keener after recreation.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Mind Relaxation Stronger
There has not been any great talent without an element of madness. -Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Element Madness Talent
No one can be despised by another until he has learned to despise himself.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Despise Hate Hatred
Nothing is as certain as that the vices of leisure are gotten rid of by being busy.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Happiness Leisure Vice
Life is long if you know how to use it.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Life Long Use
Four things does a reckless man gain who covets his neighbor’s wife – demerit, an uncomfortable bed, thirdly, punishment, and lastly, hell.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Infidelity Men Wife
It’s the admirer and the watcher who provoke us to all the inanities we commit.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Admire Praise Provoking
Revenge is an inhuman word.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Inhuman Revenge World
Demand not that I am the equal of the greatest, only that I am better than the wicked.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Demand Equal Wicked
Time discovers truth.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Discover Life Time Truth
Men do not care how nobly they live, but only how long, although it is within the reach of every man to live nobly, but within no man’s power to live long.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Although Care Long Men
Who-only let him be a man and intent upon honor-is not eager for the honorable ordeal and prompt to assume perilous duties? To what energetic man is not idleness a punishment?
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Assuming Honor Men Prompt
One who’s our friend is fond of us; one who’s fond of us isn’t necessarily our friend.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Friend Friendship Necessarily
Nothing is more hateful to wisdom than to much cunning.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Despise Hate Hateful
This body is not a home, but an inn; and that only for a short time.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Home Life Short Spiritual
Conversation has a kind of charm about it, an insuating and insidious something that elicits secrets from us just like love or liquor.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Knowledge Learning Love
You can only acquire it successfully if you cease to feel any sense of shame.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Learn Success Wisdom
Those whom true love has held, it will go on holding.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Emotion Goes Hold Love True
It’s unknown the place and uncertain the time where death awaits you; thus you must expect death to find you, every time, at every place.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Period Place Time Uncertain
You learn to know a pilot in a storm.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Philosophical Pilot Storm
Drunkenness doesn’t create vices, but it brings them to the fore.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Drunkenness People Vices
For men in a state of freedom had thatch for their shelter, while slavery dwells beneath marble and gold.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Freedom Men Simplicity
He grieves more than is necessary who grieves before any cause for sorrow has arisen.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Causes Grieve Sorrow
Be harsh with yourself at times.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Harsh Reflection Sin
Hardly a man will you find who could live with his door open.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Door Find Men Open
The customs of that most criminal nation (Israel) have gained such strength that they have now been received in all lands. The conquered have given laws to the conquerors.
SENECA THE YOUNGER

Country Emotion Land Law People Person

Other Famous Personalities