On Anger, Book 3, Section 6 — In Plain English

Seneca — The Senator

Nothing proves greatness of character like refusing to let anything make you angry. Look at the highest parts of the sky — up near the stars, where everything is perfectly ordered. That region never gets cloudy or stormy. No cyclones whirl through it. It stays completely peaceful while lightning flashes in the lower regions below. A noble mind works the same way. It stays calm and lives in clear air. It controls all the urges that lead to anger. Such a mind is humble, earns respect, and stays cool and collected. You'll find none of these qualities in an angry person. When someone is full of grief and rage, don't they first lose all sense of shame? When they're worked up and confused and ready to attack someone, don't they throw away any modesty they once had? What angry person pays attention to their duties or daily routine? Who speaks with restraint? Who keeps their body still? Who can control themselves when they're in full attack mode?

Seneca — The Senator Original

There is no greater proof of magnanimity than that nothing which befalls you should be able to move you to anger. The higher region of the universe, being more excellently ordered and near to the stars, is never gathered into clouds, driven about by storms, or whirled round by cyclones: it is free from all disturbance: the lightnings flash in the region below it. In like manner a lofty mind, always placid and dwelling in a serene atmosphere, restraining within itself all the impulses from which anger springs, is modest, commands respect, and remains calm and collected: none of which qualities will you find in an angry man: for who, when under the influence of grief and rage, does not first get rid of bashfulness? who, when excited and confused and about to attack some one, does not fling away any habits of shamefacedness he may have possessed? what angry man attends to the number or routine of his duties? who uses moderate language? who keeps any part of his body quiet? who can guide himself when in full career?