On Anger, Book 2, Section 21 — In Plain English

Seneca — The Senator

Have you noticed how people get angrier as they gain power and status? This is especially true for the rich, the noble, and those in high positions. Success feeds their anger. When they're surrounded by flatterers whispering in their ears — "How dare he talk to you like that! You're not acting with proper dignity! You're lowering yourself!" — it stokes the fire. Even people with good hearts and strong principles can barely resist this kind of talk. That's why we must keep flatterers away from children.

Seneca — The Senator Original

Do you not observe how a man's anger becomes more violent as he rises in station? This shows itself especially in those that are rich and noble, or in great place, when the favouring gale has roused all the most empty and trivial passions of their minds. Prosperity fosters anger, when a man's proud ears are surrounded by a mob of flatterers, saying, "That man answer you! you do not act according to your dignity, you lower yourself." And so forth, with all the language which can hardly be resisted even by healthy and originally well-principled minds. Flattery, then, must be kept well out of the way of children.