History has a chorus of great minds, many of whose legacies I will need more time to explore. There is one person, though, who stands out with clarity and inspires action for me with this short time I have here on earth; it’s Seneca the Younger, and I am inspired by his writings on the topic of fear.
Seneca was a Stoic philosopher of ancient Rome. He believed that the key to navigating life’s uncertainties with grace lies in our ability to control our emotions and accept the things we cannot change.
His teachings, which have withstood the test of time, continue to guide those who seek to live a life of tranquility and resilience. His letters, rich with personal reflections and practical advice, are as relevant today as they were two millennia ago.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from Seneca’s letter On Groundless Fears, which he wrote to his friend Lucilius.
These quotes comfort and guide me when my mind races so that my actions are paralyzed by fear. They remind me to reclaim my most precious commodity: time.
The first quote:
“There are more things, Lucilius, likely to frighten us than there are to crush us; we suffer more often in imagination than in reality.”
I reflect on this when fear whispers to me of dangers lurking ahead. How often have I found that the threats I imagined were mere phantoms, dissolving when met with the light of reason or the passage of time?
And then there is this quote:
“How am I to know whether my sufferings are real or imaginary? Here is the rule for such matters: we are tormented either by things present, or by things to come, or by both. As to things present, the decision is easy. Suppose that your person enjoys freedom and health, and that you do not suffer from any external injury. As to what may happen to it in the future, we shall see later on.”
This quote from Seneca provides a practical framework for distinguishing between real worries and imagined ones. It’s a tool I use to assess my concerns: if I’m not in physical pain and I have freedom, then my suffering might be about what I fear might happen later, not what’s happening now.
This advice doesn’t dismiss the importance of preparing for the future; instead, it helps me focus on the present and not stress about things that haven’t happened yet—and may never happen.
Another Seneca quote from his letter to Lucilius says,
“How often has the expected never come to pass!”
I can recall the many times I braced for storms that never broke upon my shores. The anticipation of a hurricane was a deluge all its own, yet often, only sprinkles of rain ended up falling.
But even when the worst-case situation is sure to come, Seneca offers this advice:
“And even though it is ordained to be, what does it avail to run out to meet your suffering?”
What is the point of going out of my way to be sad or scared about something that has not happened yet? If I know it is going to rain tomorrow, there is no use in carrying the added weight of an umbrella today—I can make sure that I have an umbrella ready for tomorrow. Seneca is reminding me not to let the fear of future troubles ruin my peace today.
The following two quotes I love. They are for the most problematic of times:
“Men have survived their own executioners.”
Even in terrifying situations that seemed like everything was over—one or two come to mind right now—it was not the end.
Even in the darkest of times, when it seems like everything is against us, we can endure. Seneca reminds us of the resilience within all of us, a spark that can outlast darkness. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the clutches of fate, the human spirit can endure and overcome.
“Sometimes the sword is checked even at the victim’s throat.”
Wow. Even in a dire situation where all hope seems to be lost and the worst case is guaranteed, even then, at the very last second something can shift and danger can still be averted.
Here Seneca highlights the unpredictability of life and the idea that outcomes are not set in stone, even when it feels like there is no way out.
Life can pivot on the edge of a moment in its infinite capacity for change. It reminds me not to despair at the sight of the sword, for its descent is never assured.
And finally, I will leave you with this last quote:
“Believe what you prefer.”
Our beliefs and attitudes can shape our experiences. Seneca suggests that we can choose our perspective when faced with uncertainty or different possibilities. How might you lean towards optimism if you are stuck between thinking something might turn out well or fearing it will go poorly? Here, I will also add preparation if fear is debilitating. Your beliefs shape your world.
Through the lens of Seneca’s wisdom, I am reminded that fear, while an ordinary visitor, need not be a squatter in the dwelling of my soul.
Let Seneca’s words guide us to understand that fear is a creation of our minds and that courage comes not from avoiding fear but from conquering it.
With warmth and kinship,
Simone Dominique
