'A spirit which is utterly courageous and noble is conspicuous especially for two features. The first of these is disregard for external circumstances, springing from the conviction that a man ought to revere or aspire to or seek nothing except what is honourable and proper, and should not lie down before any man or emotional … Continue reading Cicero on magnanimity
Tag: reason
Seneca on Anger
A description of anger. "Some of the wisest of men have ... called anger a short madness: for it is equally devoid of self-control, regardless of decorum, forgetful of kinship, obstinately engrossed in whatever it begins to do, deaf to reason and advice, excited by trifling causes, awkward at perceiving what is true and just, … Continue reading Seneca on Anger
Cicero on decorum
"The thrust and nature of the soul of man have two aspects. The first lies in the appetite ... which pulls a man in different directions; and the second is in the reason, which teaches and expounds what we are to do, and what to avoid. Accordingly the reason commands, and the appetite obeys. Our … Continue reading Cicero on decorum
Socratic temperance 2
Socrates: "And when real philosophers consider all these things, will they not be led to make a reflection which they will express in words something like the following? ‘Have we not found,’ they will say, ‘a path of thought which seems to bring us and our argument to the conclusion, that while we are in … Continue reading Socratic temperance 2
Notes in the Margins of the Days 