On Peace of Mind, Section 1 — In Plain English

Seneca — The Senator

Sometimes I follow our school's teachings and throw myself into public life. I seek office and aim to become consul — not because I want the purple robe or the ceremonial axes, but because I want to help my friends, my family, my fellow citizens, and all humanity. I'm ready and determined. I follow the advice of Zeno, Cleanthes, and Chrysippus, who all tell us to take part in public affairs, even though none of them ever did it themselves. But then something upsets my mind, which isn't used to such shocks. Maybe something disgraceful happens, as it often does in everyone's life. Or things don't go smoothly. Or trivial matters demand too much of my time. Then I retreat back to my private life. Like tired cattle that speed up when they're heading home, I want to retire and spend my life within the walls of my house.

Seneca — The Senator Original

At one time I would obey the maxims of our school and plunge into public life, I would obtain office and become consul, not because the purple robe and lictor's axes attract me, but in order that I may be able to be of use to my friends, my relatives, to all my countrymen, and indeed to all mankind. Ready and determined, I follow the advice of Zeno, Cleanthes, and Chrysippus, all of whom bid one take part in public affairs, though none of them ever did so himself: and then, as soon as something disturbs my mind, which is not used to receiving shocks, as soon as something occurs which is either disgraceful, such as often occurs in all men's lives, or which does not proceed quite easily, or when subjects of very little importance require me to devote a great deal of time to them, I go back to my life of leisure, and, just as even tired cattle go faster when they are going home, I wish to retire and pass my life within the walls of my house.