Plain
Seneca — The Senator

But look at how each of these men faced their fate. If they endured it bravely, then long for that same kind of courage in your own heart. If they died like cowards, then nothing was really lost. Either they earned your admiration for their courage, or they proved they weren't worth copying in their cowardice. What could be more shameful than great men dying so bravely that it makes other people into cowards?

On Peace of Mind, Section 16 88 of 100
Facing Hardship Doing The Right Thing
Seneca — The Senator Original

Well, but see how each of them endured his fate, and if they endured it bravely, long in your heart for courage as great as theirs; if they died in a womanish and cowardly manner, nothing was lost: either they deserved that you should admire their courage, or else they did not deserve that you should wish to imitate their cowardice: for what can be more shameful than that the greatest men should die so bravely as to make people cowards.

On Peace of Mind, Section 16 88 of 100
Seneca — The Senator

Now we come to a part of this topic that naturally makes us sad and worried. I'm talking about when good people meet terrible ends. Socrates was forced to die in prison. Rutilius had to live in exile. Pompey and Cicero had to offer their necks to the swords of their own followers. The great Cato — that living image of virtue — fell on his sword and destroyed both himself and the republic. When you see things like this, you can't help feeling upset that Fortune hands out her gifts so unfairly. What can a good person hope to get when he sees the best people meeting the worst fates?

On Peace of Mind, Section 16 87 of 100
Facing Hardship Doing The Right Thing
Seneca — The Senator Original

There comes now a part of our subject which is wont with good cause to make one sad and anxious: I mean when good men come to bad ends; when Socrates is forced to die in prison, Rutilius to live in exile, Pompeius and Cicero to offer their necks to the swords of their own followers, when the great Cato, that living image of virtue, falls upon his sword and rips up both himself and the republic, one cannot help being grieved that Fortune should bestow her gifts so unjustly: what, too, can a good man hope to obtain when he sees the best of men meeting with the worst fates.

On Peace of Mind, Section 16 87 of 100
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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