Quotes from Seneca

Just as I shall select my ship when I am about to go on a voyage, or my house when I propose to take a residence, so I shall choose my death when I am about to depart from life.

A good mind possesses a kingdom: a great fortune is a great slavery.

There is nothing so bitter that a patient mind cannot find some solace for it.

What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears.

All outdoors may be bedlam, provided there is no disturbance within.

The foremost art of kings is the power to endure hatred.

Learn how to feel joy.

Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.

Enjoy present pleasures in such a way as not to injure future ones.

He who has great power should use it lightly.

Most powerful is he who has himself in his power.

The first petition that we are to make to Almighty God is for a good conscience the next for health of mind and then of body.

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

errare humanum est, sed perseverare diabolicum: 'to err is human, but to persist (in the mistake) is diabolical.

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

Men learn while they teach.

Nature does not reveal her mysteries once and for all.

Our universe is a sorry little affair unless it has in it something for every age to investigate.

While we teach, we learn.

An age builds up cities: an hour destroys them.

It takes the whole of life to learn how to live, and--what will perhaps make you wonder more--it takes the whole of life to learn how to die.

Life is like a play: it's not the length, but the excellence of the acting that matters.

We never reflect how pleasant it is to ask for nothing.

Real improvement is of slow growth only.