On the futility of planning ahead
101:9
Book Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Book Description: The final volume of Seneca's moral letters. Common Stoic themes emerge again and again: the unreliability of fortune, the ability to form Stoic resolve, and the importance of virtue.
9.
How, then, shall we avoid this vacillation?
In one way only,—if there be no reaching forward in our life, if it is withdrawn into itself.
For he only is anxious about the future, to whom the present is unprofitable.
But when I have paid my soul its due, when a soundly-balanced mind knows that a day differs not a whit from eternity—whatever days or problems the future may bring—then the soul looks forth from lofty heights and laughs heartily to itself when it thinks upon the ceaseless succession of the ages.
For what disturbance can result from the changes and the instability of Chance, if you are sure in the face of that which is unsure?
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the futility of planning ahead
Location: Chapter 101, Section 9
Content:
9.
How, then, shall we avoid this vacillation?
In one way only,—if there be no reaching forward in our life, if it is withdrawn into itself.
For he only is anxious about the future, to whom the present is unprofitable.
But when I have paid my soul its due, when a soundly-balanced mind knows that a day differs not a whit from eternity—whatever days or problems the future may bring—then the soul looks forth from lofty heights and laughs heartily to itself when it thinks upon the ceaseless succession of the ages.
For what disturbance can result from the changes and the instability of Chance, if you are sure in the face of that which is unsure?