Quotes from Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Fate leads the willing, and drags along the reluctant.

Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.

Behold a worthy sight, to which the God, turning his attention to his own work, may direct his gaze. Behold an equal thing, worthy of a God, a brave man matched in conflict with evil fortune.

There is no person so severely punished, as those who subject themselves to the whip of their own remorse.

The first and greatest punishment of the sinner is the conscience of sin.

Nothing is so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness is it to be expecting evil before it comes.

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

For greed all nature is too little.

Failure changes for the better, success for the worse.

Retire into yourself as much as possible. Associate with people who are likely to improve you. Welcome those whom you are capable of improving. The process is a mutual one. People learn as they teach.

Philosophy does not regard pedigree, she received Plato not as a noble, but she made him one.

A well governed appetite is the greater part of liberty.

The mind unlearns with difficulty what it has long learned.

What fools these mortals be.

Laws do not persuade just because they threaten.

I was shipwrecked before I got aboard.

Health is the soul that animates all the enjoyments of life, which fade and are tasteless without it.

You roll my log, and I will roll yours.

Wherever the Roman conquers, there he dwells.

I don't trust liberals, I trust conservatives.

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

A good mind possesses a kingdom.

A great step towards independence is a good-humored stomach, one that is willing to endure rough treatment.

A great pilot can sail even when his canvas is rent.