Lucius Annaeus Seneca quotes

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c. 4 BC – AD 65) was a Roman philosopher, statesman, and playwright. Known for his stoic philosophy, he believed in the importance of cultivating wisdom and living a virtuous life. Seneca served as a tutor and advisor to the future emperor Nero, but later fell out of favor and was forced to retire. During his exile, he focused on writing, producing influential essays such as "On the Shortness of Life" and "Letters from a Stoic." Known for his eloquence and wit, Seneca's works continue to inspire readers today, offering insights into life, morality, and the pursuit of happiness.

A man who suffers before it is necessary, suffers more than is necessary.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Ignorant people see life as either existence or non-existence, but wise men see it beyond both existence and non-existence to something that transcends them both; this is an observation of the Middle Way.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

The things hardest to bear are sweetest to remember.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Shall I tell you what the real evil is? To cringe to the things that are called evils, to surrender to them our freedom, in defiance of which we ought to face any suffering.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

See how many are better off than you are, but consider how many are worse.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

The less we deserve good fortune, the more we hope for it.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

May be is very well, but Must is the master. It is my duty to show justice without recompense.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Brave men rejoice in adversity, just as brave soldiers triumph in war.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

The way is long if one follows precepts, but short... if one follows patterns.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

He has committed the crime who profits by it.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

The mind that is anxious about the future is miserable.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

No one is laughable who laughs at himself.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

If a man knows not what harbor he seeks, any wind is the right wind.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

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

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Crime when it succeeds is called virtue.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Poverty wants some, luxury many, and avarice all things.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Shun no toil to make yourself remarkable by some talent or other; yet do not devote yourself to one branch exclusively. Strive to get clear notions about all. Give up no science entirely; for science is but one.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Expecting is the greatest impediment to living. In anticipation of tomorrow, it loses today.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

There is no great genius without some touch of madness.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

When I think over what I have said, I envy dumb people.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Anger: an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

A kingdom founded on injustice never lasts.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I never come back home with the same moral character I went out with; something or other becomes unsettled where I had achieved internal peace; some one or other of the things I had put to flight reappears on the scene.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

There is a noble manner of being poor, and who does not know it will never be rich.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

It is true greatness to have in one the frailty of a man and the security of a god.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Slavery takes hold of few, but many take hold of slavery.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca