Seneca's Morals by Way of Abstract: To which is Added, a Discourse Under the Title of An After-thought

Front Cover
Sherwood, Neely and Jones, 1818 - Conduct of life - 475 pages

From inside the book

Selected pages

Contents


Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 92 - True joy is a serene and sober motion;" and they are miserably out, that take laughing for rejoicing. The seat of it is within, and there is no cheerfulness like the resolution of a brave mind, that has fortune under his feet.
Page 90 - ... voices is still an argument of the wrong ; the common people find it easier to believe than to judge, and content themselves with what is usual, never examining whether it be good or no. By the common people is intended the man of title, as well as the clouted shoe, for I do not distinguish them by the eye, but by the mind, which is the proper, judge of the man.
Page 91 - Nothing can make it less; for it is the state of human perfection; it raises us as high as we can go; and makes every man his own supporter; whereas he that is borne up by anything else may fall. He that judges aright, and perseveres in it, enjoys a perpetual calm; he takes a true prospect of things; he observes an order, measure, a decorum in all his actions; he has a benevolence in his nature; he squares his life according to reason; and draws to himself love and admiration. Without a certain and...
Page 436 - ... of it. It may be some question, whether such a man goes to heaven, or heaven comes to him: for a good man is influenced by God himself, and has a kind of divinity within him.
Page 90 - The true felicity of life is to be free from perturbations, to understand our duties toward God and man, to enjoy the present, without any anxious dependence upon the future. Not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears, but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is abundantly sufficient ; for he that is so, wants nothing.
Page 207 - Of all felicities, the most charming is that of a firm and gentle friendship. It sweetens all our cares, dispels our sorrows, and counsels us in all extremities. Nay, if there were no other comfort in it than the bare exercise of so generous a virtue, even for that single reason, a man would not be without it.
Page 186 - Happy is that man that eats only for hunger, and drinks only for thirst; that stands upon his own legs, and lives by reason, not by example, and provides for use and necessity, not for ostentation and pomp.
Page 164 - Nay, we are so delicate that we must be told when we are to eat or drink, when we are hungry or weary ; and we cherish some vices as proofs and arguments of our happiness. The most miserable mortals are they that deliver themselves up to their palates or to their lusts ; the pleasure is short, and turns presently nauseous, and the end of it is either shame or repentance. It is a brutal entertainment, and unworthy of a man, to place his felicity in the service of his senses.
Page 20 - There is not any benefit so glorious in itself, but it may yet be exceedingly sweetened, and improved by the manner of conferring it. The virtue, I know, rests in the intent; the profit in the judicious application of the matter; but, the beauty and ornament of an obligation, lies in the manner of it. — Seneca. ccxcvm. The modern device of consulting indexes, is to read i -,ook» hebraically, and begin where others usually end.
Page 129 - For a private conviction is the first, and the greatest punishment of offenders ; so that sin plagues itself, and the fear of vengeance pursues even those that escape the stroke of it. It were ill for good men that iniquity may so easily evade the law, the judge, and the execution, if nature had not set up torments and gibbets in the consciences of transgressors. He that is guilty lives in perpetual terror, and, while he expects to be punished, he punishes himself; and, whosoever deserves it, expects...

Bibliographic information