Seneca · c. 4 BCE – 65 CE
On Peace of Mind 17 ¶2 — Seneca
Translation by Aubrey Stewart (1889)
Seneca, On Peace of Mind 17 ¶2
I have now, my beloved Serenus, given you an account of what things can preserve peace of mind, what things can restore it to us, what can arrest the vices which secretly undermine it: yet be assured, that none of these is strong enough to enable us to retain so fleeting a blessing, unless we watch over our vacillating mind with intense and unremitting care.
Cite this passage
Seneca, On Peace of Mind 17 ¶2, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1889)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-peace-of-mind/17.2
Seneca, Dialogues, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1887–1889). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesPeace of mind is a fragile gain that none of these methods can hold onto unless you keep a constant, careful watch over your own wavering mind.
Older wording
- “vacillating”
- — wavering
Themes and situations
- Peace of mind
- Self-discipline and habit
- Learning and progress
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