Plain
Seneca — The Senator

Now let's talk about money and property — the biggest source of human misery. Compare all our other troubles — death, illness, fear, regret, physical pain and hard work — with the suffering that money causes us. Money troubles will outweigh all the rest. Think about this: it hurts much less to never have had money than to lose money you once had. This shows us that the less poor people have to lose, the less they suffer. You're wrong if you think rich people handle losses better than poor people do.

On Peace of Mind, Section 8 45 of 100
Facing Hardship What Matters Most
Seneca — The Senator Original

Let us now pass on to the consideration of property, that most fertile source of human sorrows: for if you compare all the other ills from which we suffer—deaths, sicknesses, fears, regrets, endurance of pains and labours— with those miseries which our money inflicts upon us, the latter will far outweigh all the others. Reflect, then, how much less a grief it is never to have had any money than to have lost it: we shall thus understand that the less poverty has to lose, the less torment it has with which to afflict us: for you are mistaken if you suppose that the rich bear their losses with greater spirit than the poor:

On Peace of Mind, Section 8 45 of 100
Seneca — The Senator

Above all else, stay away from gloomy people who complain about everything that happens. They find something wrong with absolutely everything. Even if such a person stays loyal and friendly to you, they will still destroy your peace of mind. A companion who is bitter and greets every situation with a groan will ruin your calm.

On Peace of Mind, Section 7 44 of 100
Calm Your Mind Human Nature
Seneca — The Senator Original

Above all, however, avoid dismal men who grumble at whatever happens, and find something to complain of in everything. Though he may continue loyal and friendly towards you, still one's peace of mind is destroyed by a comrade whose mind is soured and who meets every incident with a groan.

On Peace of Mind, Section 7 44 of 100
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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