Plain
Seneca — The Senator

Our inner thoughts slowly start to match how we act on the outside. When Socrates got angry, he would lower his voice and speak very little. This showed he was trying to control himself. His friends learned to spot this behavior and would call him out for being angry. He didn't mind being accused of hiding his anger. How could he not be pleased that many people could see his anger, but none actually suffered from it? They would have suffered, though, if he hadn't given his friends the same right to criticize him that he used with them.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 13 Book 3 · 42 of 121
Calm Your Mind Human Nature
Seneca — The Senator Original

Our inward thoughts gradually become influenced by our outward demeanour. With Socrates it was a sign of anger when he lowered his voice, and became sparing of speech; it was evident at such times that he was exercising restraint over himself. His friends, consequently, used to detect him acting thus, and convict him of being angry; nor was he displeased at being charged with concealment of anger; indeed, how could he help being glad that many men should perceive his anger, yet that none should feel it? they would however, have felt it had not he granted to his friends the same right of criticizing his own conduct which he himself assumed over theirs.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 13 Book 3 · 42 of 121
Seneca — The Senator

Fight hard with yourself. If you can't conquer anger, don't let it conquer you. You've started to win if anger doesn't show itself, if you don't give it an outlet. Let's hide its symptoms. Keep it secret and hidden as much as possible. This will be hard work. Anger wants to burst out, light up our eyes, and change our face. But if we let it show in how we look, then it's our master. Instead, lock it away in the deepest part of your heart. You should carry it — don't let it carry you. Better yet, replace all its symptoms with their opposites. Make your face calmer than usual. Make your voice gentler. Walk slower.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 13 Book 3 · 41 of 121
Calm Your Mind Facing Hardship
Seneca — The Senator Original

Fight hard with yourself and if you cannot conquer anger, do not let it conquer you: you have begun to get the better of it if it does not show itself, if it is not given vent. Let us conceal its symptoms, and as far as possible keep it secret and hidden. It will give us great trouble to do this, for it is eager to burst forth, to kindle our eyes and to transform our face; but if we allow it to show itself in our outward appearance, it is our master. Let it rather be locked in the innermost recesses of our breast, and be borne by us, not bear us: nay, let us replace all its symptoms by their opposites; let us make our countenance more composed than usual, our voice milder, our step slower.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 13 Book 3 · 41 of 121
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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