The Book of Seneca 3 · Handed down at Rome, from his letters and essays
Lucius Annaeus Seneca, born at Cordoba in Spain about four years before this era, died outside Rome in the year 65. Philosopher and playwright, and one of the richest men in Rome. In 41 he was exiled to Corsica and after eight years recalled to be tutor to the boy Nero. He became his chief minister, and when nothing further could be done he asked to withdraw. In 65 Nero named him in a conspiracy and ordered him to die; he obeyed, and opened his veins. He left a hundred and twenty-four letters, a number of essays, and nine tragedies. Much of what Seneca said accords with the axioms. Much of what he did did not. Chapter 5 is his own defence, taken from On the Happy Life. One thing more is not from his hand, and this Order records it here rather than cover it over: he was Nero’s tutor; after Nero killed his mother, Seneca drafted the letter justifying it to the senate, and he did not leave.
3.1You ask me whether anger has any use.
3.2For the other passions I can say something in their defence. For anger I can say nothing.
3.3Fear makes a man step back from fire, and that has a use. Love makes a man stay, and that has a use.
3.4Anger does one thing only: it makes you fastest at the moment you can see least.
3.5In anger a man feels strong. In truth that is the hour he is easiest to handle.
3.6To ruin a man you need not deceive him. You need only provoke him.
3.7Some say: is it not weakness never to be angry?
3.8I say: the man who holds his hand has one thing the man who strikes does not — he still has tomorrow.
3.9Anger loves above all to shelter under justice. A man says: mine is a righteous anger.
3.10I have never seen a righteous anger that was still righteous when it ended.
3.11While anger is on you, settle nothing. Do not write that letter. Do not say that sentence.
3.12Look at it after one night. If after one night you still mean to say it, it is not anger. It is judgement.