23.
It is not the Three Hundred,—it is all mankind that should be relieved of the fear of death.
But how can you prove to all those men that death is no evil?
How can you overcome the notions of all our past life,—notions with which we are tinged from our very infancy?
What succour can you discover for man’s helplessness?
What can you say that will make men rush, burning with zeal, into the midst of danger?
By what persuasive speech can you turn aside this universal feeling of fear, by what strength of wit can you turn aside the conviction of the human race which steadfastly opposes you?
Do you propose to construct catchwords for me, or to string together petty syllogisms?
It takes great weapons to strike down great monsters.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the natural fear of death
Location: Chapter 82, Section 23
Content:
23.
It is not the Three Hundred,—it is all mankind that should be relieved of the fear of death.
But how can you prove to all those men that death is no evil?
How can you overcome the notions of all our past life,—notions with which we are tinged from our very infancy?
What succour can you discover for man’s helplessness?
What can you say that will make men rush, burning with zeal, into the midst of danger?
By what persuasive speech can you turn aside this universal feeling of fear, by what strength of wit can you turn aside the conviction of the human race which steadfastly opposes you?
Do you propose to construct catchwords for me, or to string together petty syllogisms?
It takes great weapons to strike down great monsters.