Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was a tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero. In 65 AD, Seneca was caught up in the aftermath of the Pisonian conspiracy, a plot to kill Nero. Although it is unlikely that Seneca conspired, Nero ordered him to kill himself. Seneca followed tradition by severing several veins in order to bleed to death, and his wife Pompeia Paulina attempted to share his fate.

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Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.

While we teach, we learn.

Enjoy present pleasures in such a way as not to injure future ones.

We never reflect how pleasant it is to ask for nothing.

Health is the soul that animates all the enjoyments of life, which fade and are tasteless without it.

Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.