Seneca, Letter 13

Fears that torment us needlessly

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Ep. 13.1Multum tibi esse animī sciō.I know that you have plenty of spirit. Ep. 13.1Nam etiam antequam īnstruerēs tē praeceptīs salūtāribus et dūra vincentibus, satis adversus fortūnam placēbās tibi, et multō magis, postquam cum illā manum cōnseruistī vīrēsque expertus es tuās, quae numquam certam dare fīdūciam suī possunt, nisi cum multae difficultātēs hinc et illinc appāruērunt, aliquandō vērō et propius accessērunt;For even before you equipped yourself with wholesome precepts that overcome hardships, you were well enough satisfied with yourself against fortune, and much more so after you came to grips with her and tested your strength, which can never give sure confidence in itself except when many difficulties have appeared on this side and that, and sometimes have even come quite close; Ep. 13.1sīc vērus ille animus et in aliēnum nōn ventūrus arbitrium probātur.it is thus that the true mind, one that will never come under another's control, is put to the proof. Ep. 13.2Haec eius obrussa est: nōn potest athlēta magnōs spīritūs ad certāmen adferre, quī numquam suggillātus est;This is its assay: an athlete cannot bring great spirit to the contest if he has never been bruised; Ep. 13.2ille, quī sanguinem suum vīdit, cuius dentēs crepuēre sub pugnō, ille, quī subplantātus adversārium tōtō tulit corpore nec prōiēcit animum prōiectus, quī quotiēns cecidit, contumācior resurrēxit, cum magnā spē dēscendit ad pugnam.the one who has seen his own blood, whose teeth have rattled under a fist, the one who, tripped up, has borne his opponent's whole weight and, though thrown down, did not throw down his spirit, who each time he fell rose again more defiant, goes down to the fight with great hope.

Ep. 13.3Ergō, ut similitūdinem istam prōsequar, saepe iam fortūna suprā tē fuit, nec tamen trādidistī tē, sed subsiluistī et ācrior cōnstitistī.So, to follow out that comparison, fortune has often been on top of you before now, and yet you did not surrender, but sprang up and stood your ground more fiercely. Ep. 13.3Multum enim adicit sibi virtūs lacessīta;For virtue adds much to itself when it is provoked; Ep. 13.3tamen sī tibi vidētur, accipe ā mē auxilia, quibus mūnīre tē possīs.still, if you think fit, accept from me some aids with which you can fortify yourself. Ep. 13.4Plūra sunt, Lūcīlī, quae nōs terrent, quam quae premunt, et saepius opīniōne quam rē labōrāmus.There are more things, Lucilius, that frighten us than that crush us, and we suffer more often in opinion than in reality. Ep. 13.4Nōn loquor tēcum Stōicā linguā, sed hāc submissiōre.I am not speaking with you in the Stoic tongue but in this humbler one. Ep. 13.4Nōs enim dīcimus omnia ista, quae gemitūs mūgītūsque exprimunt, levia esse et contemnenda;For we Stoics say that all those things that wring groans and bellowing from us are trivial and to be despised; Ep. 13.4omittāmus haec magna verba, sed, dī bonī, vēra.let us leave aside these grand words, though, good gods, they are true.

Ep. 13.4Illud tibi praecipiō, nē sīs miser ante tempus, cum illa, quae velut imminentia expāvistī, fortasse numquam ventūra sint, certē nōn vēnerint.This I advise you: do not be wretched before the time, since the things that you dreaded as though they were looming will perhaps never come, and certainly have not come yet. Ep. 13.5Quaedam ergō nōs magis torquent quam dēbent;Some things, then, torment us more than they ought; Ep. 13.5quaedam ante torquent quam dēbent;some torment us before they ought; Ep. 13.5quaedam torquent, cum omnīnō nōn dēbeant.some torment us when they ought not to at all. Ep. 13.5Aut augēmus dolōrem aut fingimus aut praecipimus.We either magnify our pain, or invent it, or anticipate it. Ep. 13.5Prīmum illud, quia rēs in contrōversiā est et lītem contestātam habēmus, in praesentiā differātur.The first of these, since the matter is in dispute and we have a suit already joined, may be postponed for the present. Ep. 13.5Quod ego leve dīxerō, tū gravissimum esse contendēs;What I call trivial, you will maintain is very serious; Ep. 13.5sciō aliōs inter flagella rīdēre, aliōs gemere sub colaphō.I know that some laugh under the lash, and others groan at a slap.

Ep. 13.5Posteā vidēbimus, utrum ista suīs vīribus valeant an inbēcillitāte nostrā.Later we shall see whether these things are strong by their own strength or by our weakness. Ep. 13.6Illud praestā mihi, ut, quotiēns circumsteterint, quī tibi tē miserum esse persuādeant, nōn quid audiās, sed quid sentiās, cōgitēs et cum patientiā tuā dēlīberēs ac tē ipse interrogēs, quī tua optimē nōstī: Quid est, quārē istī mē conplōrent?Grant me this: whenever people have gathered round you to persuade you that you are wretched, think not about what you hear but about what you feel, take counsel with your own endurance, and question yourself, since you know your own affairs best: Why is it that these people bewail me? Ep. 13.6Quid est, quod trepident, quod contāgium quoque meī timeant, quasi trānsilīre calamitās possit?Why is it that they tremble, that they fear even catching it from me, as if calamity could leap across? Ep. 13.6Est aliquid istīc malī, an rēs ista magis īnfāmis est quam mala?Is there some evil in this, or is the thing more disreputable than evil? Ep. 13.6Ipse tē interrogā: Numquid sine causā crucior et maereō et quod nōn est malum, faciō?Question yourself: Am I tormented and grieving without cause, and making an evil of what is not an evil?

Ep. 13.7"Quōmodo," inquis, "intellegam, vāna sint an vēra, quibus angor?"'How,' you say, 'am I to know whether the things that distress me are empty or real?' Ep. 13.7Accipe huius reī rēgulam: aut praesentibus torquēmur aut futūrīs aut utrīsque.Take this rule for the matter: we are tormented either by present things, or by future ones, or by both. Ep. 13.7Dē praesentibus facile iūdicium est;About present things judgement is easy; Ep. 13.7sī corpus tuum līberum et sānum est, nec ūllus ex iniūriā dolor est.if your body is free and sound, and there is no pain from any injury. Ep. 13.7Vidēbimus quid futūrum sit.We shall see what is to come. Ep. 13.7Hodiē nihil negōtiī habet.Today it gives no trouble. Ep. 13.8"At enim futūrum est."'But it is coming.' Ep. 13.8Prīmum dispice, an certa argūmenta sint ventūrī malī.First consider whether there are sure proofs that the evil is coming. Ep. 13.8Plērumque enim suspīciōnibus labōrāmus, et inlūdit nōbīs illa, quae cōnficere bellum solet, fāma, multō autem magis singulōs cōnficit.For mostly we suffer from suspicions, and we are mocked by rumour, which usually finishes wars, but finishes off individuals far more. Ep. 13.8Ita est, mī Lūcīlī;So it is, my Lucilius; Ep. 13.8citō accēdimus opīniōnī Nōn coarguimus illa, quae nōs in metum addūcunt, nec excutimus, sed trepidāmus et sīc vertimus terga, quemadmodum illī, quōs pulvis mōtus fugā pecorum exuit castrīs, aut quōs aliqua fābula sine auctōre sparsa conterruit.we quickly give way to opinion. We do not test the things that lead us into fear, nor examine them, but we panic and turn our backs just like those whom dust raised by a stampede of cattle has driven out of their camp, or those whom some tale spread without a source has terrified.

Ep. 13.9Nesciō quōmodo magis vāna perturbant.Somehow empty things disturb us more. Ep. 13.9Vēra enim modum suum habent;For real things have their own limit; Ep. 13.9quicquid ex incertō venit, coniectūrae et paventis animī licentiae trāditur.whatever comes from uncertainty is handed over to conjecture and to the licence of a frightened mind. Ep. 13.9Nūllī itaque tam perniciōsī, tam inrevocābilēs quam lymphāticī metus sunt.And so no fears are so destructive, so beyond recall, as panic fears. Ep. 13.9Cēterī enim sine ratiōne, hī sine mente sunt.For other fears are without reason, these without mind. Ep. 13.10Inquīrāmus itaque in rem dīligenter.Let us therefore look into the matter carefully. Ep. 13.10Vērīsimile est aliquid futūrum malī;It is likely that some evil is coming; Ep. 13.10nōn statim vērum est.it is not at once true. Ep. 13.10Quam multa nōn expectāta vēnērunt!How many things have come unexpected! Ep. 13.10Quam multa expectāta nūsquam conpāruērunt!How many expected have never appeared at all! Ep. 13.10Etiam sī futūrum est, quid iuvat dolōrī suō occurrere?Even if it is coming, what good is it to run out to meet your pain? Ep. 13.10Satis citō dolēbis, cum vēnerit;You will grieve soon enough when it has come; Ep. 13.10interim tibi meliōra prōmitte.meanwhile promise yourself better things.

Ep. 13.11Quid faciēs lucrī?What gain will you make? Ep. 13.11Tempus.Time. Ep. 13.11Multa intervenient, quibus vīcīnum perīculum vel prope admōtum aut subsistat aut dēsinat aut in aliēnum caput trānseat.Many things will intervene through which a danger that is near, or even brought close, will either halt, or cease, or pass on to another's head. Ep. 13.11Incendium ad fugam patuit;A fire has left a way open for escape; Ep. 13.11quōsdam molliter ruīnā dēposuit;some men a collapsing building has set down gently; Ep. 13.11aliquandō gladius ab ipsā cervīce revocātus est;sometimes the sword has been called back from the very neck; Ep. 13.11aliquis carnificī suō superstes fuit.some man has outlived his own executioner. Ep. 13.11Habet etiam mala fortūna levitātem.Even bad fortune has its fickleness. Ep. 13.11Fortasse erit, fortasse nōn erit;Perhaps it will be, perhaps it will not be; Ep. 13.11interim nōn est.meanwhile it is not. Ep. 13.11Meliōra prōpōne.Set better things before yourself. Ep. 13.12Nōnnumquam nūllīs appārentibus signīs, quae malī aliquid praenūntient, animus sibi falsās imāginēs fingit;Sometimes, though no signs appear to foretell anything evil, the mind invents false images for itself; Ep. 13.12aut verbum aliquod dubiae significātiōnis dētorquet in peius aut maiōrem sibi offēnsam prōpōnit alicuius quam est, et cōgitat nōn quam īrātus ille sit, sed quantum liceat īrātō.either it twists some word of doubtful meaning for the worse, or it imagines someone's offence against it to be greater than it is, and thinks not how angry he is but how much an angry man may do.

Ep. 13.12Nūlla autem causa vītae est, nūllus miseriārum modus, sī timeātur quantum potest;But there is no reason for living, no limit to our miseries, if everything is feared as much as it can be; Ep. 13.12hīc prūdentia prōsit, hīc rōbore animī ēvidentem quoque metum respue.here let prudence help you, here with strength of mind spurn even a fear that is plain to see. Ep. 13.12Sī minus, vitiō vitium repelle;If not, drive out one fault with another; Ep. 13.12spē metum temperā.temper fear with hope. Ep. 13.12Nihil tam certum est ex hīs, quae timentur, ut nōn certius sit et formīdāta subsīdere et spērāta dēcipere.Nothing among the things that are feared is so certain that it is not more certain both that what we dread subsides and that what we hope for deceives. Ep. 13.13Ergō spem ac metum exāminā, et quotiēns incerta erunt omnia, tibi favē;So weigh hope and fear, and whenever everything is uncertain, favour yourself; Ep. 13.13crēde quod māvīs.believe what you prefer. Ep. 13.13Sī plūrēs habet sententiās metus, Nihilōminus in hanc partem potius inclīnā et perturbāre tē dēsine, ac subinde hoc in animō volve, maiōrem partem mortālium, cum illī nec sit quicquam malī nec prō certō futūrum sit, aestuāre ac discurrere.If fear has more votes, nonetheless lean rather to this side and stop troubling yourself, and turn this over in your mind again and again: that the greater part of mortals, though nothing is wrong with them and nothing is certain to come, are in a ferment and run about.

Ep. 13.13Nēmō enim resistit sibi, cum coepit inpellī, nec timōrem suum redigit ad vērum.For no one resists himself once he has begun to be driven, nor brings his fear back to the truth. Ep. 13.13Nēmō dīcit: "Vānus auctor est, vānus haec aut finxit aut crēdidit."No one says: 'The source is worthless; he is worthless, and either invented this or believed it.' Ep. 13.13Damus nōs aurae ferendōs.We let ourselves be carried along by the breeze. Ep. 13.14Expavēscimus dubia prō certīs.We take fright at doubtful things as if they were certain. Ep. 13.14Nōn servāmus modum rērum.We do not keep a sense of proportion in things. Ep. 13.14Statim in timōrem vertit scrūpulus.A pebble of doubt turns at once into fear. Ep. 13.14Pudet mē et trīste tēcum loquī, et tam lēnibus tē remediīs fōcillāre.I am ashamed both to speak with you so gloomily and to revive you with such gentle remedies. Ep. 13.14Alius dīcat: "Fortasse nōn veniet."Let another say: 'Perhaps it will not come.' Ep. 13.14Tū dīc: "Quid porrō, sī veniet?You say: 'What then, if it does come?

Ep. 13.14Vidēbimus uter vincat.We shall see which of us wins. Ep. 13.14Fortasse prō mē venit, et mors ista vītam honestābit."Perhaps it comes for my good, and that death will bring honour to my life.' Ep. 13.14Cicūtā magnum Sōcratem fēcit.Hemlock made Socrates great. Ep. 13.14Catōnī gladium adsertōrem lībertātis extorquē;Wrest from Cato the sword, the defender of his freedom; Ep. 13.14magnam partem dētrāxeris glōriae.you will have taken away a great part of his glory. Ep. 13.15Nimium diū tē cohortor, cum tibi admonitiōne magis quam exhortātiōne opus sit.I am exhorting you too long, when what you need is reminding rather than exhortation. Ep. 13.15Nōn in dīversum tē ā nātūrā tuā dūcimus;We are not leading you in a direction contrary to your nature; Ep. 13.15nātus es ad ista, quae dīcimus.you were born for the things that we speak of. Ep. 13.15Eō magis bonum tuum augē et exōrnā.All the more, then, increase and adorn your own good. Ep. 13.16Sed iam fīnem epistulae faciam, sī illī signum suum inpresserō, id est aliquam magnificam vōcem perferendam ad tē mandāverō.But now I shall make an end of the letter, once I have pressed its seal upon it, that is, have entrusted it with some splendid saying to carry to you.

Ep. 13.16"Inter cētera mala hoc quoque habet stultitia: semper incipit vīvere."'Among its other evils folly has this one too: it is always beginning to live.' Ep. 13.16Cōnsīderā quid vōx ista significet, Lūcīlī virōrum optime, et intellegēs, quam foeda sit hominum levitās cōtīdiē nova vītae fundāmenta pōnentium, novās spēs etiam in exitū inchoantium.Consider what this saying means, Lucilius, best of men, and you will understand how disgraceful is the fickleness of men who every day lay new foundations for life and begin new hopes even at the end. Ep. 13.17Circumspice tēcum singulōs;Look around you at individuals; Ep. 13.17occurrent tibi senēs, quī sē cum maximē ad ambitiōnem, ad peregrīnātiōnēs, ad negōtiandum pārent.you will come across old men who are preparing themselves at this very moment for office-seeking, for travels abroad, for business. Ep. 13.17Quid est autem turpius quam senex vīvere incipiēns?And what is more disgraceful than an old man beginning to live? Ep. 13.17Nōn adicerem auctōrem huic vōcī, nisi esset sēcrētior nec inter vulgāta Epicūrī dicta, quae mihi et laudāre et adoptāre permīsī.I would not add the author of this saying if it were not rather little known and not among the familiar sayings of Epicurus, which I have allowed myself both to praise and to adopt.

Ep. 13.17Valē.Farewell.

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Grammar in this passage: indirect statement ×6, purpose clauses ×2, gerunds and gerundives ×4, ablative absolute ×2

Latin vocabulary for this passage (430 words)

multum, -ī, n.	much
tū, tuī, pers. pron.	thou, you
sum, esse, fuī, futūrus	be
animus, -ī, m.	mind; heart; spirit, courage
sciō, -īre, -īvī, -ītus	know
nam, conj.	for
etiam, adv.	and now, also, too, even
antequam, conj.	before than, sooner than, before
īnstruo, -struere, -strūxī, -strūctus	build in or into; draw up; equip, furnish,
praeceptum, -ī n.	instruction, order
salūtāris, -e	healthful, beneficial, bringing safety
et, conj.	and; et ... et, both ... and
dūrus, -a, -um	hard; harsh; difficult
vincō, -ere, vīcī, victum	conquer, defeat
satis, adv.	enough, sufficiently
adversus, -a, -um	facing; unfavourable, unsuccessful
fortūna, -ae, f.	fortune
placeō, -ēre, placuī, placitum (+ dat.)	please (placuit eī: he decided)
multō, adv.	by much or far, much, far
magis, comp. adv.	more, rather
postquam, conj.	later than, after, when
cum, prep, with abl.	with
ille, illa, illud, dem. pron.	that; he, she, it, they; ille ... hīc, see hīc
manus, -ūs, f.	hand
cōnserō, -ere, -seruī, -sertus	join, fasten together; manum (manūs) cōnserere: come to blows, engage
vīs, vīs, f.	violence, force; virtue, potency, efficacy; plur. vīrēs, -ium, strength; omnibus vīribus, with all one's strength, with might and main
que, enclitic conj.	and
experior, -īrī, expertus sum	try, test, experience
tuus, -a, -um	thy, thine, your
quī, quae, quod, rel. pron.	who, which
numquam, adv.	never
certus, -a, -um	determined, fixed, certain; certiōrem facere, to make more certain, inform
dō, dare, dedī, datus	give
fīdūcia, -ae f.	confidence, trust, reliance
suī, sibi, sē or sēsē, reflexive pron.	himself, herself, itself, themselves
possum, posse, potuī	be able, have power, can
nisi, conj.	if not, unless
cum, conj.	when, while, after; since; although
multus, -a, -um	much, great; plur., many
difficultas, -tātis, f.	difficulty
hinc, adv.	from this place, hence
illinc, adv.	from there, on that side
appāreō, -ēre, -uī, -itum	appear, come into view, show oneself
aliquandō, adv.	at some time or other; finally, at length
vērō, adv.	in truth, indeed; however
prope (adv. and prep. + acc.)	near, nearly
accēdō, -ere, accessī, accessum	come near, approach; be added
sīc, adv.	so, thus
vērus, -a, -um	true; rē vērā, in truth, in fact
in, prep. with acc. and abl.	with acc.: into, onto, against; with abl.: in, on
aliēnus, -a, -um	belonging to another, out of place
nōn, adv.	not
veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventus	come
arbitrium, -ī n.	judgment, will, pleasure
probō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum	prove, show; approve
hic, haec, hoc, dem. pron.	this; ille ... hīc, that ... this, the former ... the latter
is, ea, id, dem. pron.	this, that; he, she, it, they
obrussa, -ae f.	assay, test of gold by fire; touchstone, test
athlēta, -ae m.	athlete, competitor in the games
magnus, -a, -um	large, big, great, mighty; loud
spīritus, -ūs m.	breath; (pl.) pride, arrogance
ad, prep. with acc.	to, toward; at, near; for
certāmen, -minis, n.	struggle, contest
afferō, afferre, attulī, allātum	bring, bring to; cause
sūgillō (suggillō), -āre, -āvī, -ātus	beat black and blue; pester, wear out; insult
sanguis, sanguinis, m.	blood
suus, -a, -um	his, her, its, or their own; his, her, its, their
videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsus	see; pass., seem
dēns, dentis, m.	tooth
crepō, -āre, -uī, -itus	burst with a crash; rattle, rustle, crackle
sub, prep. with acc. and abl.	under; sub vesperum, towards evening
pugnus, -ī m.	fist
supplantō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	trip up, throw down
adversārius, -ī m.	opponent, enemy
tōtus, -a, -um	all the, the whole or entire
ferō, ferre, tulī, lātus	bear, bring
corpus, corporis, n.	body
neque or nec, conj.	and not, nor; neque ... neque, neither ... nor; neque enim, for ... not
prōiciō, -icere, -iēcī, -iectus	throw forth or down, cast away, throw
quotiēns (adv.)	how many times; as often as
cadō, cadere, cecidī, cāsūrus	fall
contumāx, -ācis	stubborn, defiant, unyielding, insolent
resurgō, -ere, -surrēxī, -surrēctum	rise again, rise from the dead
spēs, speī, f.	hope
dēscendō, -scendere, -scendī, -scēnsus	climb down, descend
pugna, -ae, f.	fighting, battle, combat
ergō (adv.)	therefore, then; quid ergō? what then?
ut, conj.	as; when; that; ita ut, as
similitūdō, -inis f.	likeness, resemblance
iste, ista, istud, dem. pron.	that of yours, that
prōsequor, -sequī, -secūtus	follow forward, follow
saepe, adv.	often, frequently
iam, adv.	now, already
suprā, adv. and prep. with acc.	above, before
tamen, adv.	however, yet, nevertheless
trādō, -dere, -didī, -ditus	give across, over, or up, deliver; hand down, relate, report
sed, conj.	but
subsiliō, -īre, -siluī	leap up, spring up
ācer, ācris, ācre	sharp, shrill
cōnstō, -stāre, -stitī, -stātūrus	stand together, agree; consist;
enim, conj.	for
adiciō, -icere, -iēcī, -iectus	throw to, throw, hurl
virtūs, -tūtis, f.	manliness, courage, bravery
lacessō, -ere, -īvī, -ītum	provoke, harass
sī, conj.	if
accipiō, -cipere, -cēpī, -ceptus	take to oneself, receive, accept; hear; suffer
ā, ab (prep. + abl.)	away from, from; by (ā only before consonants)
ego, meī, pers. pron.	I
auxilium, -ī, n.	help, aid
mūniō, -īre, -īvī, -ītus	fortify
plūrēs, -a, plur. adj.	more, many, several
nōs	plur. of ego
terreō, -ēre, -uī, -itus	frighten, terrify
quam, adv.	how? as; than; with superl., as ... as possible
premō, premere, pressī, pressus	press, check, restrain
opīniō, -ōnis, f.	opinion, expectation; reputation
rēs, reī, f.	thing, matter, affair, circumstance, situation; rē vērā, in truth, in fact, really
labōrō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	labor, toil
loquor, loquī, locūtus	speak
Stōicus, -a, -um	Stoic; (m. pl. as noun) the Stoics
lingua, -ae f.	tongue; language
submissus, -a, -um	lowered, quiet; humble, unpretentious (of style)
dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictus	say, speak; diem dīcere, to appoint or set a day
omnis, -e	all, every
gemitus, -ūs m.	groan, sigh
mūgītus, -ūs, m.	lowing, bellowing
exprimō, -primere, -pressī, -pressus	press out
levis, -e	light, slight
contemnō, -ere, -tempsī, -temptus	despise, scorn, think little of
omittō, -mittere, -mīsī, -missus	let go, neglect, disregard, throw away, lose
verbum, -ī, n.	word
deus, -ī, m.	god
bonus, -a, -um	good
praecipiō, -cipere, -cēpī, -ceptus	take beforehand, anticipate; order, charge
nē, adv.	not; nē ... quidem, not ... even; conj., that not, lest
miser, misera, miserum	wretched, unhappy
ante, prep, with acc. and adv.	before
tempus, temporis, n.	time, season
velut	even or just as, as
immineō, -ēre	hang over; threaten, be close at hand
expavēscō, -ere, -pāvī	be terrified, take fright
fortasse (adv.)	perhaps
certē (adv.)	certainly, surely; at any rate
quīdam, quaedam, quoddam, indef. pron.	a certain, certain
torqueō, torquēre, torsī, tortus	turn
dēbeō, -ēre, -uī, -itus	owe; with infin., ought
omnīnō, adv.	altogether, wholly, entirely
aut, conj.	or; aut ... aut, either ... or
augeō, -ēre, auxī, auctum	increase, enlarge
dolor, -ōris, m.	pain, grief; anger
fingō, fingere, finxī, fictus	invent, make up
prīmum, adv.	first, in the first place
quia (conj.)	because
contrōversia, -ae, f.	quarrel, dispute, debate
līs, lītis f.	lawsuit, dispute; damages
contestor, -ārī, -ātus sum	call to witness, solemnly declare; warn solemnly
habeō, -ēre, -uī, -itus	have, hold; consider
praesentia, -ae, f.	the present
differō, differre, distulī, dīlātum	differ; scatter, put off
gravis, -e	heavy; severe, grievous, serious
contendō, -tendere, -tendī, -tentus	stretch, hasten
alius, -a, -ud	another, other; aliī ... aliī, some ... others
inter, prep, with acc.	among, between
flagellum, -ī n.	whip, scourge
rīdeō, rīdēre, rīsī, rīsus	laugh
gemō, -ere, -uī, -itus	groan; lament
colaphus, -ī m.	punch, blow with the fist
posteā, adv.	after this, afterwards
utrum (conj.)	whether (utrum … an: whether … or)
valeō, -ēre, -uī, -itūrus	be strong or effectual, have effect, prevail
an, conj.	or (in questions)
imbēcillitās, -ātis f.	weakness, feebleness
noster, -tra, -trum	our
praestō, -stāre, -stitī, -stitus	stand in front; show
circumstō, -stāre, -stetī	stand around
persuādeō, -suādēre, -suāsi, -suāsus	persuade, prevail upon, induce
quis, quid, interrog. pron.	who? which? what?
audiō, -īre, -īvī, -ītus	hear; listen or attend to
sentiō, sentīre, sēnsī, sēnsus	perceive, feel
cōgitō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	consider, think over
patientia, -ae f.	endurance, hardiness
dēlīberō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum	consider, deliberate
atque, ac (conj.)	and; after comparisons: as, than (ac only before consonants)
ipse, ipsa, ipsum, intensive pron.	self, himself, herself, itself, themselves; often to be rendered by very
interrogō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	ask, question
bene, adv.	well; successfully
nōscō, -ere, nōvī, nōtum	get to know (perf. nōvī: know)
quārē (adv.)	why; for which reason
complōrō (conplōrō), -āre, -āvī, -ātus	lament loudly, bewail
quod, conj.	that, in that, because
trepidō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	be in a panic, hurry about in alarm
contāgium, -ī n.	contagion, infection, contact
quoque, adv.	also
timeō, -ēre, -uī	fear
quasi, conj.	as if
trānsiliō, -īre, -uī	leap over, jump across
calamitās, -tātis, f.	misfortune, calamity, disaster
aliquis, -quid, indef. pron.	someone, any one, something, anything, some, any
istīc (adv.)	there, where you are
malum, -ī, n.	evil, mischief
īnfāmis, -e	of ill repute, notorious
malus, -a, -um	bad
numquid (interrog. particle)	surely not? can it be that ...? (expects 'no'); in later Latin also a simple question
sine, prep. with abl.	without
causa, -ae, f.	cause, reason; abl. causā, for the sake of
cruciō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	torture, torment
maereō, -ēre	grieve, be sad
faciō, facere, fēcī, factus	make, do; iter facere, see iter
quōmodo (adv.)	how; in what way
inquam, inquis, inquit, defective verb	I say, you say, he says
intellegō, -legere, -lēxī, -lēctus	perceive, understand
vānus, -a, -um	empty, idle, vain; in vanum: in vain
angō, -ere, ānxī	choke; (pass.) be vexed, be distressed
rēgula, -ae f.	ruler, straight bar, strip of wood
praesēns, -sentis, adj.	present, immediate, imminent
uterque, utraque, utrumque	each, either, both
dē, prep, with abl.	down from, from, out of; about, concerning, of
facilis, -e (comp. facilior)	easy
iūdicium, -ī n.	trial, court; judgment
līber, lībera, līberum	free
sānus, -a, -um	healthy, sane (prō sānō: sensibly)
ūllus, -a, -um	any
ex, ē (prep. + abl.)	out of, from; of (ē only before consonants)
iniūria, -ae, f.	injury, wrong, hurt, harm
hodiē (adv.)	today
nihil, n., indecl.	nothing
negōtium, -ī, n.	business, matter; task, trouble, difficulty
at, conj.	but
dispiciō, -ere, -spexī, -spectus	see clearly, discern
argūmentum, -ī n.	proof, evidence
plērumque (adv.)	generally, mostly
suspīciō, -ōnis, f.	suspicion
inlūdō, -ere, -lūsī, -lūsus	mock, make sport of (+ dat.)
cōnficiō, -ficere, -fēcī, -fectus	make or do completely, complete, finish, accomplish, make; wear out
bellum, -ī, n.	war
soleō, -ēre, solitus sum	be accustomed, usually do
fāma, -ae, f.	report, rumor
autem, conj.	moreover; but, however; now
singulī, -ae, -a	one at a time, single
ita, adv.	in this manner, thus, so; ita ut, as
meus, -a, -um	my, mine
citō (adv.; comp. citius)	quickly, soon; citius: more quickly, without delay
coarguō, -ere, -uī	expose, prove guilty, denounce
metus, -ūs m.	fear, dread
addūcō, -dūcere, -dūxī, -ductus	lead to, bring, take; induce, influence
excutiō, -ere, -cussī, -cussus	shake off, shake out
vertō, vertere, vertī, versus	turn
tergum, -ī, n.	back
quemadmodum (adv.)	how, in what way; just as
pulvis, -eris m.	dust
moveō, movēre, mōvī, mōtus	move
fuga, -ae, f.	flight
pecus, pecoris, n.	herd, flock, cattle
exuō, -uere, -uī, -ūtus	put or take off
castra, -ōrum, n. plur.	camp
aliquī, -qua, -quod, indef. pron. adj.	some, any
fābula, -ae, f.	story
auctor, -ōris m.	originator, instigator
spargō, spargere, sparsī, sparsus	scatter, sprinkle
conterreō, -ēre, -uī, -itus	frighten badly, terrify
nesciō, -scīre, -scīvī	not know, be ignorant; nesciō quis, I know not who, some one or other (nesciō is thus used with other interrogative words also)
perturbō, -turbāre, -turbāvi, -turbātus	greatly disturb, disturb, agitate, throw into confusion
modus, -ī, m.	way, manner
quisquis, quidquid (quicquid)	whoever, whatever
incertus, -a, -um	uncertain, unreliable
coniectūra, -ae f.	guess, inference
paveō, -ēre, pāvī	be terrified, tremble
licentia, -ae f.	freedom; lack of restraint, lawlessness
nūllus, -a, -um	not any, none, no
itaque, adv.	and so, accordingly, therefore
tam, adv.	so
perniciōsus, -a, -um	destructive, ruinous, dangerous
irrevocābilis (inrevocābilis), -e	irrevocable; uncontrollable
lymphāticus, -a, -um	frenzied, crazed; panic-stricken
cēterī, -ae, -a, plur. adj.	the other, the remaining, the rest of
ratiō, -ōnis, f.	plan, means, method, manner; reason; account
mēns, mentis f.	mind, spirit
inquīrō, -ere, -quīsīvī, -quīsītum	search into, inquire
dīligenter, adv.	carefully, diligently
vērīsimilis, -e	probable, likely, plausible
statim, adv.	on the spot, forthwith, at once, immediately
exspectō, -spectāre, -spectāvī, -spectātus	look out for, wait for, await, expect; wait
nūsquam, adv.	nowhere
compāreō, -ēre, -uī	appear, be visible; be present, be found
iuvō, -āre, iūvī, iūtum	help
occurrō, -currere, -currī, -cursus	run against, meet
doleō, -ēre, doluī, dolitum	grieve, be pained
interim (adv.)	meanwhile
prōmittō, -mittere, -mīsī, -missus	send or put forth, promise
lucrum, -ī, n.	gain
interveniō, -īre, -vēnī, -ventum	come in between, arrive in the middle of things
vīcīnus, -ī m.	neighbor
perīculum, -ī, n.	danger, peril, risk
vel	or; vel … vel: either … or
admoveō, -ēre, -mōvī, -mōtus	move up, bring near
subsistō, -ere, -stitī	halt, make a stand
dēsinō, -sinere, -siī, -situs	stop, cease (+ inf.)
caput, capitis, n.	head
trānseō, -īre, -iī, -itus	go across or over, cross
incendium, -ī n.	fire, burning
pateō, -ēre, -uī	lie open; extend, stretch
molliter (adv.)	softly, gently; in comfort, luxuriously
ruīna, -ae f.	fall, collapse, ruin
dēpōnō, -pōnere, -posuī, -positus	put down, deposit; lay aside, give up; ē memoriā dēpōnere, to forget
gladius, -ī, m.	sword
cervīx, -īcis f.	neck (often pl.)
revocō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum	call back, recall
carnifex, -icis m.	executioner, torturer; butcher, murderer
superstes, -stitis	surviving, outliving (dat.)
levitās, -ātis f.	lightness; fickleness
prōpōnō, -pōnere, -posuī, -positus	put or set before, offer, propose; set forth, say
nōnnumquam (adv.)	sometimes
signum, -ī, n.	sign, signal
praenūntiō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	announce beforehand
falsus, -a, -um	feigned, pretended, false
imāgō, -inis f.	likeness, image, portrait
dubius, -a, -um	doubtful, uncertain
significātiō, -ōnis f.	signal
dētorqueō, -ēre, -torsī, -tortus	turn aside, turn
offēnsa, -ae f.	a knock, injury; offence, discomfort
īrātus, -a, -um	angered, enraged, angry, furious
quantum, adv.	how much? how?
licet, -ēre, -uit or -itum est, impers.	is lawful or permitted
vīta, -ae, f.	life
miseria, -ae f.	misery, distress, suffering
hīc, adv.	here; hereupon
prūdentia, -ae, f.	prudence
prōsum, prōdesse, prōfuī	be of advantage, profit, avail, assist
rōbur, rōboris, n.	oak
ēvidēns, -entis	clear, plain, obvious
respuō, -ere, respuī	reject
minus, comp. adv.	less
vitium, -ī n.	fault, vice
repellō, repellere, reppulī, repulsus	drive back or away, repulse, repel
temperō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum (ab + abl.)	refrain (from)
formīdō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	be afraid, dread
subsīdō, -ere, -sēdī, -sessum	sit down; stay behind
spērō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	hope
dēcipiō, -cipere, -cēpī, -ceptus	catch, deceive
exāminō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum	weigh, test
faveō, -ēre, fāvī, fautum (+ dat.)	favour, support
crēdō, -dere, -didī, -ditus	believe
mālō, mālle, māluī	wish rather, prefer
sententia, -ae, f.	opinion; purpose
nihilō minus	nevertheless
pars, partis, f.	part, side, direction
potius (adv.)	rather
inclīnō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	bend, lean; incline, tend
subinde (adv.)	immediately after; repeatedly, from time to time
volvō, -ere, volvī, volūtus	roll, turn over; ponder (multa sēcum volvere)
mortālis, -e	mortal
quisquam, quicquam, indef. pron.	any one, anything
prō, prep. with abl.	before, in front of; for, in behalf of; for, as; in return for, for
aestuō, -āre, -āvī	boil, seethe; burn (with passion or envy)
discurrō, -ere, -currī, -cursum	run in different directions, scatter
nēmō, nēminis, m. and f.	no one, nobody
resistō, -sistere, -stitī	stand back, resist
coepī, coepisse, coeptus (used in tenses of completed action)	have begun, began
impellō, -pellere, -pulī, -pulsus	drive or urge on, incite, urge
timor, -ōris, m.	fear
redigō, -ere, redēgī, redāctum	bring back; reduce (to a condition)
vērum (conj.)	but, but in fact; nōn modo ... vērum etiam: not only ... but also
aura, -ae, f.	air, breeze
servō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	save, preserve
scrūpulus, -ī m.	worry, anxiety, scruple
pudet, -ēre, puduit (impers.)	it shames, one is ashamed
trīstis, -e	sad, gloomy
lēnis, -e	gentle
remedium, -ī, n.	remedy
fōcillō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	revive, cherish, comfort
porrō (adv.)	further on; moreover
uter, utra, utrum	which? of two
mors, mortīs, f.	death
honestō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	bring honour to, dignify
cicūta, -ae f.	hemlock; a hemlock stalk, reed pipe
assertor (adsertor), -ōris m.	champion, liberator, defender
lībertās, -tātis, f.	freedom, liberty
extorqueō, -ēre, -torsī, -tortus	wrench away, extort
dētrahō, -trahere, -trāxī, -trāctus	draw or pull off
glōria, -ae, f.	glory
nimium (adv.)	too, too much
diū, adv.	for a long time, a long time or while, long; comp
cohortor, -hortārī, -hortātus	encourage, exhort
admonitiō, -ōnis f.	reminder, advice, warning
exhortātiō, -ōnis f.	encouragement, exhortation
opus, operis, n.	work, task
dīversus, -a, -um	turned different ways, opposite, contrary, different
nātūra, -ae, f.	nature, character
dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductus	lead; make, dig; with or without in mātrimōnium, marry
nāscor, -ī, nātus sum	be born; rise, begin
eō (adv.)	to that place, thither; to that point (usque eō); (with comparatives) by so much, all the (more)
bonum, -ī n.	a good thing, advantage; (pl.) goods
exōrnō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	equip, furnish; adorn
fīnis, -is, m.	end, boundary; plur., borders, territory, country
epistula, -ae f.	letter
imprimō, -ere, -pressī, -pressus	press upon, press into
magnificus, -a, -um	splendid, magnificent
vōx, vōcis, f.	voice; word
perferō, -ferre, -tulī, -lātus	bear through, bear, endure; weather
mandō, -dāre, -dāvī, -dātus	put in hand, intrust, commit; charge, command
stultitia, -ae f.	folly, foolishness
semper, adv.	always
incipiō, -ere, incēpī, inceptum	begin
vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctus	live
cōnsīderō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	look at closely, consider, think over
significō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum	show, indicate, signal
vir, virī, m.	man
foedus, -a, -um	foul, loathsome, hideous
homō, hominis, m.	man
cottīdiē, adv.	daily, every day
novus, -a, -um	new; novissimus, last
fundāmentum, -ī n.	foundation
pōnō, pōnere, posuī, positus	place, put; pōnī with in and abl., to be placed in, rest or depend on
exitus, -ūs m.	way out; outcome, end
inchoō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	begin, start on; sketch out
circumspiciō, -ere, -spexī, -spectus	look around; look around for, consider
singulī, -ae, -a	one at a time, single
senex, senis, m.	old man
maximē, adv.	very greatly, exceedingly, especially
ambitiō, -ōnis f.	canvassing for office; ambition, desire for honours
peregrīnātiō, -ōnis f.	travel abroad, journey; sojourn in a foreign land
negōtior, -ārī, -ātus sum	do business, trade
pāreō, -ēre, -uī	obey
turpis, -e	disgraceful
sēcrētus, -a, -um	separate; secret, private
vulgātus, -a, -um	commonly known, widespread
dictum, -ī n.	word, order (dictō audiēns: obedient)
laudō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum	praise
adoptō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus	adopt; choose, take for oneself
permittō, -ere, -mīsī, -missum	allow, permit; entrust

Seneca, Epistulae Morales 2–52. Latin text: R. M. Gummere, Seneca: Ad Lucilium Epistulae Morales (Loeb, 1917–25), public domain; digital text from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA. Word analysis: drafted by our own tagger (trained on the hand-checked texts on this site), with every doubtful word checked by hand. English translation and section titles: written for this app, each checked against the Latin by a second reader.