On Anger, Book 3, Section 2 — In Plain English

Seneca — The Senator

Soldiers turn their weapons on their own commanders. The whole population fights with the nobles. The senate doesn't wait to raise proper troops or appoint a general — they hastily pick leaders because their anger drives them to hunt down aristocrats through the streets of Rome and kill them with their own hands. They attack ambassadors and break international law. An unnatural madness grips the state. Without giving time for the general fury to cool down, they immediately launch fleets loaded with hastily recruited soldiers. With no organization and no religious ceremonies for good fortune, the people rush to battle guided only by their rage. They grab whatever weapons they can find, then pay for their reckless anger with crushing defeat.

Seneca — The Senator Original

Legions aim their darts at their commander; the whole populace quarrels with the nobles; the senate, without waiting for troops to be levied or appointing a general, hastily chooses leaders, for its anger chases well-born men through the houses of Rome, and puts them to death with its own hand. Ambassadors are outraged, the law of nations violated, and an unnatural madness seizes the state. Without allowing time for the general excitement to subside, fleets are straightway launched and laden with a hastily enrolled soldiery. Without organization, without taking any auspices, the populace rushes into the field guided only by its own anger, snatches up whatever comes first to hand by way of arms, and then atones by a great defeat for the reckless audacity of its anger.