On Peace of Mind, Section 16 — In Plain English

Seneca — The Senator

Let us praise those who deserve constant praise. Say to them: "The braver you are, the happier you are! You have escaped all accidents, jealousy, and diseases. You have escaped from prison. The gods didn't think you deserved bad fortune. They decided that fortune no longer deserved any power over you." But when someone shrinks back at the moment of death and looks longingly at life, we must take action to help them.

Seneca — The Senator Original

Let us praise one who deserves such constant praises, and say, "The braver you are the happier you are! You have escaped from all accidents, jealousies, diseases: you have escaped from prison: the gods have not thought you worthy of ill-fortune, but have thought that fortune no longer deserved to have any power over you": but when any one shrinks back in the hour of death and looks longingly at life, we must lay hands upon him.

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?

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.