Plain
Seneca — The Senator

"But wait," someone argues, "shouldn't a good man get angry if he sees his father murdered or his mother attacked?" No, he won't be angry, but he will still take revenge or protect them. Why do you think love for his family won't be enough motivation without anger? You might as well ask, "What then? When a good man sees his father or son being killed, won't he cry or faint?" — like women do when they hear even small rumors of danger. The good man will do what needs to be done without panic or fear. He'll act like a good man should, without doing anything unworthy. If my father is being murdered, I'll defend him. If he's been killed, I'll avenge him — not because I'm upset, but because it's the right thing to do.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 12 Book 1 · 35 of 69
Doing The Right Thing Calm Your Mind
Seneca — The Senator Original

“What, then,” asks our adversary, “is a good man not to be angry if he sees his father murdered or his mother outraged?” No, he will not be angry, but will avenge them, or protect them. Why do you fear that filial piety will not prove a sufficient spur to him even without anger? You may as well say—“What then? When a good man sees his father or his son being cut down, I suppose he will not weep or faint,” as we see women do whenever any trifling rumour of danger reaches them. The good man will do his duty without disturbance or fear, and he will perform the duty of a good man, so as to do nothing unworthy of a man. My father will be murdered: then I will defend him: he has been slain, then I will avenge him, not because I am grieved, but because it is my duty.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 12 Book 1 · 35 of 69
Seneca — The Senator

What did the second Scipio do? He stayed a very long time outside Numantia. People mocked him and his country, saying it was taking longer to conquer Numantia than it had taken to conquer Carthage. But he stayed calm. He surrounded his enemies and cut off their supplies until they were so desperate they killed themselves with their own swords. So anger isn't useful even in wars and battles. Anger makes you reckless. When you try to put others in danger, you forget to protect yourself. The most reliable strength comes from thinking carefully, controlling yourself, and moving forward slowly and deliberately.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 11 Book 1 · 34 of 69
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Seneca — The Senator Original

What did the second Scipio do? Did he not remain a long, long time before Numantia, and bear with calmness the reproach to himself and to his country that Numantia took longer to conquer than Carthage? By blockading and investing his enemies, he brought them to such straits that they perished by their own swords. Anger, therefore, is not useful even in wars or battles: for it is prone to rashness, and while trying to bring others into danger, does not guard itself against danger. The most trustworthy virtue is that which long and carefully considers itself, controls itself, and slowly and deliberately brings itself to the front.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 11 Book 1 · 34 of 69
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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