Seneca the Younger
Often known simply as Seneca, or Seneca the Younger, was a Roman philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and humorist.
Mors dolorum omnium exsolutio est et finis ultra quem mala nostra non exeunt, quae nos in illam tranquillitatem in qua antequam nasceremur iacuimus reponit. Si mortuorum aliquis miseretur, et non natorum misereatur. Mors nec bonum nec malum est; id enim potest aut bonum aut malum esse quod aliquid est; quod uero ipsum nihil est et omnia in nihilum redigit, nulli nos fortunae tradit. Mala enim bonaque circa aliquam uersantur materiam: non potest id fortuna tenere quod natura dimisit, nec potest miser esse qui nullus est.
If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable. (translator unknown).
ars prima regni est posse invidiam pati.
arma non servant modum; nec temperari facile nec reprimi potest stricti ensis ira; bella delectat cruor.
Cogi qui potest nescit mori.
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.
Saepe aliud volumus, aliud optamus, et verum ne dis quidem dicimus.
Caligula used to say that Seneca, who was very popular just then, composed "mere school exercises," and that he was "sand without lime."
Shun no toil to make yourself remarkable by some talent or other; yet do not devote yourself to one branch exclusively. Strive to get clear notions about all. Give up no science entirely; for science is but one.
Qui non vetat peccare cum possit, iubet.
All cruelty springs from weakness. (translator unknown)
Nam qui peccare se nescit, corrigi non vult.
errant consilia nostra, quia non habent quo derigantur; ignoranti quem portum petat nullus suus ventus est.
Unjust dominion cannot be eternal. (translator unknown)
inveniet viam aut faciet.
Oculis de homine non credo, habeo melius et certius lumen quo a falsis uera diiudicem: animi bonum animus inueniat.
quid est sapienta? semper idem velle atque idem nolle.
The spirit in which a thing is given determines that in which the debt is acknowledged; it's the intention, not the face-value of the gift, that's weighed. (translator unknown).
Time discovers truth. (translator unknown).
mens regnum bona possidet.