Plain
Seneca — The Senator

We can figure out if anger is natural by looking at human nature itself. What could be gentler than a person in their right mind? But what could be crueler than anger? What creature cares more about others than humans do? But what turns more savage against them than anger does? We are born to help each other. Anger exists to destroy each other. We naturally love community. Anger loves isolation. We want to do good. Anger wants to do harm. We help even strangers. Anger attacks even our closest friends.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 5 Book 1 · 13 of 69
Human Nature Calm Your Mind
Seneca — The Senator Original

Whether it be according to nature will become evident if we consider man's nature, than which what is more gentle while it is in its proper condition? Yet what is more cruel than anger? What is more affectionate to others than man? Yet what is more savage against them than anger? Mankind is born for mutual assistance, anger for mutual ruin: the former loves society, the latter estrangement. The one loves to do good, the other to do harm; the one to help even strangers, the other to attack even its dearest friends.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 5 Book 1 · 13 of 69
Seneca — The Senator

We've finished examining what anger is, whether animals feel it too, how it differs from just being irritable, and what different types exist. Now let's ask whether anger is natural, whether it's useful, and whether we should allow ourselves some of it.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 5 Book 1 · 12 of 69
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Seneca — The Senator Original

We have now finished our enquiry as to what anger is, whether it exists in any other creature besides man, what the difference is between it and irascibility, and how many forms it possesses. Let us now enquire whether anger be in accordance with nature, and whether it be useful and worth entertaining in some measure.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 5 Book 1 · 12 of 69
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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