Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium
Translated by Richard Mott Gummere · 1917
Public domain translation (1917).
One of the sources behind Seneca.
Letter I
Continue to act thus, my dear Lucilius — set yourself free for your own sake; gather and save your time, which till lately has been forced from you, or filched …
1 passage
Letter II
The primary indication, to my thinking, of a well-ordered mind is a man's ability to remain in one place and linger in his own company. Everywhere means nowhere…
1 passage
Letter III
Ponder for a long time whether you shall admit a given person to your friendship; but when you have decided to admit him, welcome him with all your heart and so…
1 passage
Letter V
We are in the habit of saying that it was not in our power to choose the parents who fell to our lot. But we can choose whose children we would like to be. Ceas…
1 passage
Letter XIII
There are more things, Lucilius, likely to frighten us than there are to crush us; we suffer more often in imagination than in reality. What I advise you to do …
1 passage
Letter XVI
It is clear to you, I am sure, Lucilius, that no man can live a happy life, or even a supportable life, without the study of wisdom. Philosophy is not a trick t…
1 passage
Letter XXVI
Let us cherish and love old age; for it is full of pleasure if one knows how to use it. Fruits are most welcome when almost over; youth is most charming at its …
1 passage
Letter LXXVIII
Nothing is burdensome if taken lightly, and nothing need arouse one's irritation so long as one does not make it bigger than it is by getting irritated.…
1 passage