We should behave to our friends as we would wish our friends behave to us.
A courageous person is one who faces fearful things as he ought and as reason directs for the sake of what is noble.
The guest will judge better of a feast than the cook.
It is of the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most men live only for the gratification of it.
The man who is truly good and wise will bear with dignity whatever fortune sends, and will always make the best of his circumstances.
For knowing is spoken of in three ways: it may be either universal knowledge or knowledge proper to the matter in hand or actualising such knowledge; consequently three kinds of error also are possible.
All teaching and all intellectual learning come about from already existing knowledge.
Fortune favours the bold.
There is a cropping-time in the races of men, as in the fruits of the field; and sometimes, if the stock be good, there springs up for a time a succession of splendid men; and then comes a period of barrenness.
Money is a guarantee that we may have what we want in the future. Though we need nothing at the moment it insures the possibility of satisfying a new desire when it arises.
If then nature makes nothing without some end in view, nothing to no purpose, it must be that nature has made all of them for the sake of man.
Justice therefore demands that no one should do more ruling than being ruled, but that all should have their turn.
So it is clear that the search for what is just is a search for the mean; for the law is the mean.
A state is an association of similar persons whose aim is the best life possible. What is best is happiness, and to be happy is an active exercise of virtue and a complete employment of it.
Justice is the loveliest and health is the best. but the sweetest to obtain is the heart’s desire.
To die in order to avoid the pains of poverty, love, or anything that is disagreeable, is not the part of a brave man, but of a coward.
Happiness does not lie in amusement; it would be strange if one were to take trouble and suffer hardship all one’s life in order to amuse oneself.
Since the things we do determine the character of life, no blessed person can become unhappy. For he will never do those things which are hateful and petty.
A vivid image compels the whole body to follow.
This body is not a home, but an inn; and that only for a short time. Seneca Friendship is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.