Plain
Seneca — The Senator

So we should correct wrongdoers both by warning them and by force. Use gentle methods and harsh ones. Punishment can make them better people — both for themselves and others. But do this without anger. After all, do you get angry at a patient while you're treating their wounds? "But some people can't be corrected. There's nothing good in them to hope for." Then remove them from society if they're going to corrupt everyone they meet. Let them stop being bad in the only way they can. But do this without hatred. Why would I hate someone I'm doing the greatest good for? I'm saving him from himself. Does a man hate his own limbs when he cuts them off? That's not anger — it's a sad but necessary healing.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 15 Book 1 · 43 of 69
Doing The Right Thing Human Nature
Seneca — The Senator Original

The sinner ought, therefore, to be corrected both by warning and by force, both by gentle and harsh means, and may be made a better man both towards himself and others by chastisement, but not by anger: for who is angry with the patient whose wounds he is tending? “But they cannot be corrected, and there is nothing in them that is gentle or that admits of good hope.” Then let them be removed from mortal society, if they are likely to deprave every one with whom they come in contact, and let them cease to be bad men in the only way in which they can: yet let this be done without hatred: for what reason have I for hating the man to whom I am doing the greatest good, since I am rescuing him from himself? Does a man hate his own limbs when he cuts them off? That is not an act of anger, but a lamentable method of healing.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 15 Book 1 · 43 of 69
Seneca — The Senator

No one, I insist, will be found who can claim they're completely innocent. When people call themselves innocent, they're looking for others to back them up rather than honestly examining their own conscience. How much kinder it is to treat people who make mistakes with gentleness and a fatherly spirit. Guide them back to the right path instead of hunting them down like criminals. When someone is wandering through our fields because they've lost their way, it's better to show them the right path than to chase them off.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 42 of 69
Human Nature Doing The Right Thing
Seneca — The Senator Original

No one, I affirm, will be found who can acquit himself. Every one when he calls himself innocent looks rather to external witnesses than to his own conscience. How much more philanthropic it is to deal with the erring in a gentle and fatherly spirit, and to call them into the right course instead of hunting them down? When a man is wandering about our fields because he has lost his way, it is better to place him on the right path than to drive him away.

On Anger, Book 1, Section 14 Book 1 · 42 of 69
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support