Seneca · c. 4 BCE – 65 CE
On Anger 1.7 ¶1 — Seneca
Translation by Aubrey Stewart (1889)
Seneca, On Anger 1.7 ¶1
May it not be that, although anger be not natural, it may be right to adopt it, because it often proves useful? It rouses the spirit and excites it; and courage does nothing grand in war without it, unless its flame be supplied from this source; this is the goad which stirs up bold men and sends them to encounter perils. Some therefore consider it to be best to control anger, not to banish it utterly, but to cut off its extravagances, and force it to keep within useful bounds, so as to retain that part of it without which action will become languid and all strength and activity of mind will die away.
Cite this passage
Seneca, On Anger 1.7 ¶1, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1889)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-anger/1.7.1
Seneca, Dialogues, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1887–1889). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesRaises the objection that even if anger is unnatural it may be worth keeping because it fires up courage, so some argue for moderating it rather than removing it. This sets up the reply that follows.
Older wording
- “languid”
- — weak and lacking energy
- “goad”
- — a pointed stick for prodding animals
Themes and situations
- Anger
- Courage
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