Plain
Seneca — The Senator

A boy was raised in Plato's household. When he went home to his parents and saw his father yelling angrily, he said, "I never saw anyone act like that at Plato's house." I have no doubt that he learned to copy his father sooner than he learned to copy Plato. Above all, give your child simple food and plain clothes that match what his friends wear. If you start by treating him like everyone else, he won't get angry when someone compares him to others.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 21 Book 2 · 54 of 103
Human Nature Facing Hardship
Seneca — The Senator Original

Once, a boy who was brought up in Plato's house went home to his parents, and, on seeing his father shouting with passion, said, "I never saw any one at Plato's house act like that." I doubt not that he learned to imitate his father sooner than he learned to imitate Plato. Above all, let his food be scanty, his dress not costly, and of the same fashion as that of his comrades: if you begin by putting him on a level with many others, he will not be angry when some one is compared with him.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 21 Book 2 · 54 of 103
Seneca — The Senator

A boy who grew up in Plato's house once went home to visit his parents. When he saw his father yelling in anger, he said, "I never saw anyone act like that at Plato's house." I'm sure he learned to copy his father much faster than he learned to copy Plato. Most importantly, give your child simple food and plain clothes that match what his friends wear. If you start by treating him the same as other children, he won't get angry later when someone compares him to others.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 21 Book 2 · 53 of 103
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Seneca — The Senator Original

Once, a boy who was brought up in Plato's house went home to his parents, and, on seeing his father shouting with passion, said, "I never saw any one at Plato's house act like that." I doubt not that he learned to imitate his father sooner than he learned to imitate Plato. Above all, let his food be scanty, his dress not costly, and of the same fashion as that of his comrades: if you begin by putting him on a level with many others, he will not be angry when some one is compared with him.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 21 Book 2 · 53 of 103
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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