Plain
Seneca — The Senator

So let the highest good reach a place where no force can knock it down. A place where pain cannot reach, nor hope, nor fear, nor anything else that could weaken the power of what is truly good. Only virtue can climb to that height. With virtue's help, we must make that climb. Virtue will stand firm and endure whatever happens — not just with resignation, but willingly. Virtue knows that all hard times follow natural laws. Like a good soldier, virtue will bear wounds and count scars. Even when pierced through and dying, virtue will still love the general she dies for. Virtue remembers the old saying: "Follow God."

On the Happy Life, Section 15 50 of 101
Doing The Right Thing Facing Hardship
Seneca — The Senator Original

Let the highest good, then, rise to that height from whence no force can dislodge it, whither neither pain can ascend, nor hope, nor fear, nor anything else that can impair the authority of the "highest good." Thither virtue alone can make her way: by her aid that hill must be climbed: she will bravely stand her ground and endure whatever may befal her not only resignedly, but even willingly: she will know that all hard times come in obedience to natural laws, and like a good soldier she will bear wounds, count scars, and when transfixed and dying will yet adore the general for whom she falls: she will bear in mind the old maxim "Follow God."

On the Happy Life, Section 15 50 of 101
Seneca — The Senator

How can a person who depends on pleasure obey God? How can they accept whatever happens with a cheerful heart? How can they never complain about fate and see the good in everything that befalls them? It's impossible when they get upset by every small pleasure or pain. A person who chases pleasure cannot protect their country well. They cannot fight for justice. They cannot defend their friends.

On the Happy Life, Section 15 49 of 101
Doing The Right Thing Freedom & Control
Seneca — The Senator Original

How can such a man obey God and receive everything which comes to pass in a cheerful spirit, never complaining of fate, and putting a good construction upon everything that befalls him, if he be agitated by the petty pin-pricks of pleasures and pains? A man cannot be a good protector of his country, a good avenger of her wrongs, or a good defender of his friends, if he be inclined to pleasures.

On the Happy Life, Section 15 49 of 101
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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