Plain
Seneca — The Senator

Client, why are you angry with your patron? Patron, why are you angry with your client? Just wait a little while. Look — here comes death, who will make you all equals. We often see at morning arena shows a fight between a bull and a bear chained together. The winner tears the other apart, then gets killed himself. We do exactly the same thing. We torment someone we're connected to, even though both winner and loser will soon be dead. Let's spend what little time we have left in peace. Let no one hate us when we're lying in our graves.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 43 Book 3 · 119 of 121
Death & Mortality Human Nature
Seneca — The Senator Original

Client, why are you angry with your patron? Patron, why are you angry with your client? Wait but a little while. See, here comes death, who will make you all equals. We often see at a morning performance in the arena a battle between a bull and a bear, fastened together, in which the victor, after he has torn the other to pieces, is himself slain. We do just the same thing: we worry some one who is connected with us, although the end of both victor and vanquished is at hand, and that soon. Let us rather pass the little remnant of our lives in peace and quiet: may no one loathe us when we lie dead.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 43 Book 3 · 119 of 121
Seneca — The Senator

Instead of doing all this, why don't you gather up what little time you have left and keep it peaceful — for others and for yourself? Why don't you make yourself loved by everyone while you're alive, and missed by everyone when you die? Why do you want to crush that man's arrogance just because he talks down to you? Why do you work so hard to destroy that other person who snaps and snarls at you — a low, worthless person, but still spiteful and nasty to those above him? Master, why are you angry with your slave? Slave, why are you angry with your master?

On Anger, Book 3, Section 43 Book 3 · 118 of 121
Facing Hardship Human Nature What Matters Most
Seneca — The Senator Original

Instead of acting thus, why do you not rather draw together what there is of your short life, and keep it peaceful for others and for yourself? why do you not rather make yourself beloved by every one while you live, and regretted by every one when you die? Why do you wish to tame that man’s pride, because he takes too lofty a tone with you? why do you try with all your might to crush that other who snaps and snarls at you, a low and contemptible wretch, but spiteful and offensive to his betters? Master, why are you angry with your slave? Slave, why are you angry with your master?

On Anger, Book 3, Section 43 Book 3 · 118 of 121
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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