Plain
Seneca — The Senator

Are you waiting for some enemy to destroy your entire nation and free you? Or for some powerful king to march in from far away? Look around you — wherever you turn, you can see a way to end your suffering. Do you see that cliff? That's a road to freedom. Do you see that ocean? That river? That well? Freedom waits at the bottom of each one. Do you see that tree? Even though it's stunted and dying, freedom still hangs from its branches. Do you see your own throat, your own neck, your own heart? Each one offers a way to escape slavery. Are the methods I'm showing you too hard? Do they require too much strength and courage? Do you ask what path leads to freedom? I'll tell you — any vein in your body.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 15 Book 3 · 52 of 121
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Seneca — The Senator Original

for some enemy to avenge you by the destruction of your entire nation, or for some powerful king to arrive from a distant land? Wherever you turn your eyes you may see an end to your woes. Do you see that precipice? down that lies the road to liberty; do you see that sea? that river? that well? Liberty sits at the bottom of them. Do you see that tree? stunted, blighted, dried up though it be, yet liberty hangs from its branches. Do you see your own throat, your own neck, your own heart? they are so many ways of escape from slavery. Are these modes which I point out too laborious, and needing much strength and courage? do you ask what path leads to liberty? I answer, any vein[3] in your body.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 15 Book 3 · 52 of 121
Seneca — The Senator

Are you waiting for some enemy to free you by destroying your whole country? For some powerful king to come from far away? Look around you — everywhere you look, you can see a way to end your suffering. You see that cliff? That's a path to freedom. You see that ocean? That river? That well? Freedom waits at the bottom of each one. You see that tree? Stunted, diseased, withered as it is — freedom still hangs from its branches. You see your own throat, your own neck, your own heart? Each one is a way to escape slavery. Are the methods I'm showing you too hard? Do they need too much strength and courage? You ask what path leads to freedom? Any vein in your body.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 15 Book 3 · 51 of 121
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Seneca — The Senator Original

for some enemy to avenge you by the destruction of your entire nation, or for some powerful king to arrive from a distant land? Wherever you turn your eyes you may see an end to your woes. Do you see that precipice? down that lies the road to liberty; do you see that sea? that river? that well? Liberty sits at the bottom of them. Do you see that tree? stunted, blighted, dried up though it be, yet liberty hangs from its branches. Do you see your own throat, your own neck, your own heart? they are so many ways of escape from slavery. Are these modes which I point out too laborious, and needing much strength and courage? do you ask what path leads to liberty? I answer, any vein[3] in your body.

On Anger, Book 3, Section 15 Book 3 · 51 of 121
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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