#33: On Anger (De Ira)
Quotes that resonate, from ‘How to Keep Your Cool: An Ancient Guide to Anger Management’ by Seneca, selected, translated and introduced by James Romm.
[89]
It is not to your benefit to see and hear everything. Many injuries ought to pass over us; if you ignore them, you get no more injury from them.
[90]
You want to be less angry? Ask fewer questions. Those who investigate wheat was said against them, who flush our mean-spirited talk even if it was being kept secret, are themselves the source of their own turmoil.
[91]
It’s only interpretation that causes things to look like injuries – in fact, some of them ought to be put off until later; others, laughed off; still others, forgiven.
[92]
Anger should be fenced off by various means. Most things should be turned into sport and jest.
[93]
They say that Socrates, struck by a blow to the head, said nothing more than “It’s annoying how one doesn’t know when to go out wearing a helmet.”
It doesn’t matter how an injury was done, but how it was received.