Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s account every day.
The letter is called “On the futility of planning ahead” and is prompted by the sudden death of an acquaintance, Senecio, who seemed in good health. Seneca concludes that we should live each day as though it completed our account.
If you live according to nature, you will never be poor; if you live according to opinion, you will never be rich.
If you would not have a man flinch when the crisis comes, train him before it comes.
Our lack of confidence is not the result of difficulty; the difficulty comes from our lack of confidence.
All the world’s a stage, / And all the men and women merely players;
Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me –
Break, break, break, / On thy cold gray stones, O Sea! / And I would that my tongue could utter / The thoughts that arise in me.