Plain
Seneca — The Senator

"I will set sail unless something stops me. I'll become praetor if nothing gets in my way. My business deals will work out unless something goes wrong." This is why we say nothing happens to a wise person that they didn't expect. We don't make them immune to the random events of human life — just to the mistakes. Not everything happens as they wanted, but as they thought it would. Their first thought was always that their plans might hit some obstacle. When you're not completely confident of success, disappointment hurts much less.

On Peace of Mind, Section 13 75 of 100
Freedom & Control Calm Your Mind
Seneca — The Senator Original

I will set sail unless anything happens to prevent me, I shall be praetor, if nothing hinders me, my financial operations will succeed, unless anything goes wrong with them. This is why we say that nothing befals the wise man which he did not expect—we do not make him exempt from the chances of human life, but from its mistakes, nor does everything happen to him as he wished it would, but as he thought it would: now his first thought was that his purpose might meet with some resistance, and the pain of disappointed wishes must affect a man’s mind less severely if he has not been at all events confident of success.

On Peace of Mind, Section 13 75 of 100
Seneca — The Senator

I think this is why Democritus taught that "anyone who wants to live peacefully shouldn't take on too much business, either public or private." Of course, he meant unnecessary business. When duty calls, we should handle not just a lot of business, but endless amounts — both public and private. But when no serious obligation requires us to act, we're better off staying quiet. Someone who does many things often puts himself at Fortune's mercy. It's safest not to tempt her too often. Always remember she exists, and never promise yourself anything based on her reliability.

On Peace of Mind, Section 13 74 of 100
Calm Your Mind Freedom & Control
Seneca — The Senator Original

It was, I imagine, following out this principle that Democritis taught that “he who would live at peace must not do much business either public or private,” referring of course to unnecessary business: for if there be any necessity for it we ought to transact not only much but endless business, both public and private; in cases, however, where no solemn duty invites us to act, we had better keep ourselves quiet: for he who does many things often puts himself in Fortune’s power, and it is safest not to tempt her often, but always to remember her existence, and never to promise oneself anything on her security.

On Peace of Mind, Section 13 74 of 100
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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