"Never have I trusted Fortune, even when she seemed
to offer peace. All those blessings which she kindly
bestowed on me - money, public office, influence - I
relegated to a place whence she could claim them back
without bothering me. I kept a wide gap between them
and me, with the result that she has taken them away,
not torn them away. No man has been shattered by the
blows of Fortune unless he was first deceived by her
favours. Those who loved her gifts as if they were their
own for ever, who wanted to be admired on account of
them, are laid low and grieve when the false and transient
pleasures desert their vain and childish minds, ignorant
of every stable pleasure. But the man who is not puffed
up in good times does not collapse either when they
change."
- Seneca, from Consolation to Helvia
to offer peace. All those blessings which she kindly
bestowed on me - money, public office, influence - I
relegated to a place whence she could claim them back
without bothering me. I kept a wide gap between them
and me, with the result that she has taken them away,
not torn them away. No man has been shattered by the
blows of Fortune unless he was first deceived by her
favours. Those who loved her gifts as if they were their
own for ever, who wanted to be admired on account of
them, are laid low and grieve when the false and transient
pleasures desert their vain and childish minds, ignorant
of every stable pleasure. But the man who is not puffed
up in good times does not collapse either when they
change."
- Seneca, from Consolation to Helvia