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What Would Stoics Do

Seneca · c. 4 BCE – 65 CE

On Anger 2.11 ¶3 — Seneca

Translation by Aubrey Stewart (1889)

Seneca, On Anger 2.11 ¶3

Thus has nature ordained, that whatever becomes great by causing fear to others is not free from fear itself. How disturbed lions are at the faintest noises! How excited those fiercest of beasts become at strange shadows, voices, or smells! Whatever is a terror to others, fears for itself. There can be no reason, therefore, for any wise man to wish to be feared, and no one need think that anger is anything great because it strikes terror, since even the most despicable things are feared, as, for example, noxious vermin whose bite is venomous: and since a string set with feathers stops the largest herds of wild beasts and guides them into traps, it is no wonder that from its effect it should be named a “Scarer.” Foolish creatures are frightened by foolish things: the movement of chariots and the sight of their wheels turning round drives lions back into their cage: elephants are frightened at the cries of pigs: and so also we fear anger just as children fear the dark, or wild beasts fear red feathers: it has in itself nothing solid or valiant, but it affects feeble minds.
— Seneca, On Anger 2.11 ¶3 · tr. Aubrey Stewart (1889)Read in context →

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Seneca, On Anger 2.11 ¶3, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1889)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-anger/2.11.3

Seneca, Dialogues, tr. Aubrey Stewart (1887–1889). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences

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In plain English

AI-written notes

Whatever makes itself great by frightening others is itself full of fear, like lions startled by small noises and elephants scared by pigs. No wise person should want to be feared, and anger is nothing impressive just because it scares people; we fear it as children fear the dark, though it has nothing solid inside.

Older wording

“vermin”
— small harmful pests
“valiant”
— brave
“noxious”
— harmful or poisonous

Themes and situations

  • Anger
  • Leadership and power
  • Fear and anxiety
  • Pride and humility
  • Leading others
  • A difficult boss

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