On the fickleness of fortune
98:7
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.
7.
But I do not for this reason advise you to be indifferent.
Rather do you turn aside from you whatever may cause fear.
Be sure to foresee whatever can be foreseen by planning.
Observe and avoid, long before it happens, anything that is likely to do you harm.
To effect this your best assistance will be a spirit of confidence and a mind strongly resolved to endure all things.
He who can bear Fortune, can also beware of Fortune.
At any rate, there is no dashing of billows when the sea is calm.
And there is nothing more wretched or foolish than premature fear.
What madness it is to anticipate one’s troubles!
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the fickleness of fortune
Location: Chapter 98, Section 7
Content:
7.
But I do not for this reason advise you to be indifferent.
Rather do you turn aside from you whatever may cause fear.
Be sure to foresee whatever can be foreseen by planning.
Observe and avoid, long before it happens, anything that is likely to do you harm.
To effect this your best assistance will be a spirit of confidence and a mind strongly resolved to endure all things.
He who can bear Fortune, can also beware of Fortune.
At any rate, there is no dashing of billows when the sea is calm.
And there is nothing more wretched or foolish than premature fear.
What madness it is to anticipate one’s troubles!