Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Wisdom does not show itself so much in precept as in life - in firmness of mind and a mastery of appetite. It teaches us to do as well as to talk and to make our words and actions all of a color.

No man was ever wise by chance.

In war there is no prize for runner-up.

In war, when a commander becomes so bereft of reason and perspective that he fails to understand the dependence of arms on Divine guidance, he no longer deserves victory.

We often want one thing and pray for another, not telling the truth even to the gods.

No one can be happy who has been thrust outside the pale of truth. And there are two ways that one can be removed from this realm: by lying, or by being lied to.

I don't trust liberals, I trust conservatives.

Time discovers truth.

Everywhere is nowhere. When a person spends all his time in foreign travel, he ends by having many acquaintances, but no friends.

Success consecrates the most offensive crimes.

Success is not greedy, as people think, but insignificant. That is why it satisfies nobody.

Shun no toil to make yourself remarkable by some talent or other yet do not devote yourself to one branch exclusively. Strive to get clear notions about all. Give up no science entirely for science is but one.

Consult your friend on all things, especially on those which respect yourself. His counsel may then be useful where your own self-love might impair your judgment.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.

Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power.

What nature requires is obtainable, and within easy reach. It is for the superfluous we sweat.

Everything is the product of one universal creative effort. There is nothing dead in Nature. Everything is organic and living, and therefore the whole world appears to be a living organism.

For greed all nature is too little.

A happy life is one which is in accordance with its own nature.

The display of grief makes more demands than grief itself. How few men are sad in their own company.