Plain
Seneca — The Senator

Let's look at how to achieve peace of mind in general. Then you can take whatever parts of this universal cure apply to your specific situation. First, we need to bring the whole disease into the light. Then each person will see their own piece of it. At the same time, you'll realize that your self-doubt causes you much less suffering than what others endure. Some people are trapped by flashy promises they've made publicly. Others are weighed down by impressive titles and positions. Shame — not their own choice — forces them to keep up the act.

On Peace of Mind, Section 2 14 of 100
Calm Your Mind Knowing Yourself
Seneca — The Senator Original

Let us now consider in a general way how it may be attained: then you may apply as much as you choose of the universal remedy to your own case. Meanwhile we must drag to light the entire disease, and then each one will recognize his own part of it: at the same time you will understand how much less you suffer by your self-depreciation than those who are bound by some showy declaration which they have made, and are oppressed by some grand title of honour, so that shame rather than their own free will forces them to keep up the pretence.

On Peace of Mind, Section 2 14 of 100
Seneca — The Senator

What you want — to live without being constantly disturbed — is a great thing. Actually, it's the greatest thing of all. It almost raises you to the level of a god. The Greeks call this calm steadiness of mind euthymia. Democritus wrote an excellent treatise about it. I call it peace of mind. There's no need to translate so exactly that we copy Greek word forms. The important thing is to mark what we're discussing with a name that has the same meaning as the Greek term, even if it takes a different form. So what we're looking for is this: How can the mind always follow a steady, untroubled course? How can it be pleased with itself and look with pleasure at what surrounds it? How can it experience no interruption of this joy, but stay in a peaceful state without ever being lifted too high or cast too low? This is what I mean by 'peace of mind.'

On Peace of Mind, Section 2 13 of 100
Calm Your Mind What Matters Most
Seneca — The Senator Original

What you desire, to be undisturbed, is a great thing, nay, the greatest thing of all, and one which raises a man almost to the level of a god. The Greeks call this calm steadiness of mind _euthymia_, and Democritus's treatise upon it is excellently written: I call it peace of mind: for there is no necessity for translating so exactly as to copy the words of the Greek idiom: the essential point is to mark the matter under discussion by a name which ought to have the same meaning as its Greek name, though perhaps not the same form. What we are seeking, then, is how the mind may always pursue a steady, unruffled course, may be pleased with itself, and look with pleasure upon its surroundings, and experience no interruption of this joy, but abide in a peaceful condition without being ever either elated or depressed: this will be "peace of mind."

On Peace of Mind, Section 2 13 of 100
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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