Plain
Seneca — The Senator

Where will you find a fair judge? The same man who chases after everyone's wife — who thinks another man's wife is more desirable just because she belongs to someone else — won't let anyone even look at his own wife. No one demands loyalty like a traitor does. The man who breaks his own promises gets furious when someone breaks theirs. The crooked lawyer gets most outraged when someone sues him. The man who has no self-control sexually can't stand it when someone makes a move on his slaves.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 28 Book 2 · 73 of 103
Human Nature Knowing Yourself
Seneca — The Senator Original

Where, however, will you find so impartial a judge? The same man who lusts after everyone's wife, and thinks that a woman's belonging to someone else is a sufficient reason for adoring her, will not allow any one else to look at his own wife. No man expects such exact fidelity as a traitor: the perjurer himself takes vengeance of him who breaks his word: the pettifogging lawyer is most indignant at an action being brought against him: the man who is reckless of his own chastity cannot endure any attempt upon that of his slaves.

On Anger, Book 2, Section 28 Book 2 · 73 of 103
Seneca — The Senator

We often get annoyed by flattery even as someone is buttering us up. But think about this: How many times have you been unfairly suspected of something? How often has bad luck made your good intentions look suspicious? How many people have you started out hating but ended up loving? If you remember these things, you won't get angry so quickly. Especially if you quietly tell yourself when someone offends you: "I've done this exact same thing myself."

On Anger, Book 2, Section 28 Book 2 · 72 of 103
Human Nature Calm Your Mind
Seneca — The Senator Original

We are often offended by flattery even while it is being lavished upon us: yet whoever recalls to his mind how often he himself has been the victim of undeserved suspicion, how often fortune has given his true service an appearance of wrong-doing, how many persons he has begun by hating and ended by loving, will be able to keep himself from becoming angry straightway, especially if he silently says to himself when each offence is committed: "I have done this very thing myself."

On Anger, Book 2, Section 28 Book 2 · 72 of 103
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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