Plain
Seneca — The Senator

We should enjoy the gifts of our body and natural advantages carefully, without fear. But remember — they won't last long. They're only on loan to us for a brief time. Don't let them control you. Don't become their slave. These things aren't really part of who you are. Think of physical pleasures and external rewards like support troops in an army camp. They can help, but they're not the main force. Make them serve you, not the other way around. Only then do they actually benefit your mind.

On the Happy Life, Section 8 26 of 101
Freedom & Control What Matters Most
Seneca — The Senator Original

If we guard the endowments of the body and the advantages of nature with care and fearlessness, as things soon to depart and given to us only for a day; if we do not fall under their dominion, nor allow ourselves to become the slaves of what is no part of our own being; if we assign to all bodily pleasures and external delights the same position which is held by auxiliaries and light-armed troops in a camp; if we make them our servants, not our masters—then and then only are they of value to our minds.

On the Happy Life, Section 8 26 of 101
Seneca — The Senator

Here's a problem: both good and bad people enjoy pleasure. Bad people take just as much delight in their shameful acts as good people do in noble ones. This is why ancient philosophers told us to live the highest life, not the most pleasant one. Pleasure should follow a good mind, not lead it. We should let nature be our guide and use reason to watch and learn from her. To live happily means to live according to nature. Let me explain what this means.

On the Happy Life, Section 8 25 of 101
Doing The Right Thing What Matters Most
Seneca — The Senator Original

What answer are we to make to the reflexion that pleasure belongs to good and bad men alike, and that bad men take as much delight in their shame as good men in noble things? This was why the ancients bade us lead the highest, not the most pleasant life, in order that pleasure might not be the guide but the companion of a right-thinking and honourable mind; for it is Nature whom we ought to make our guide: let our reason watch her, and be advised by her. To live happily, then, is the same thing as to live according to Nature: what this may be, I will explain.

On the Happy Life, Section 8 25 of 101
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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