Friday, February 3, 2023

On self control and emotions

 Letter CXVIII Seneca

Letters from a Stoic

There is no vice that at the start is not modest

But afterwards the trouble spreads more quickly- widely;

Every emotion at the start is weak

Afterward it rouses itself and gains strength by progress

It is more easy to forestall it

Than to forego it!

All emotions flow as if it were from a natural source

From within! As a natural spring 

Nature has intermingled pleasure with necessity 

Not in order that we seek pleasure 

But in order that the addition of pleasure

Makes the indispensable means of existence 

Attractive to our eyes;

Should it claim rights of it's own

It is luxury!!!

Let us therefore resist these faults

Demanding entrance 

For it's easier to deny them admittance

Than to make them depart!

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