We suffer more often in imagination than in reality - Seneca (4 BC—AD 65)
Meaning
Meaning
we spend so much time worried about how bad things are going to be, that we actually torture ourselves more than the thing we’re worried about ever could (that is, if it happens at all).
Seneca (4 BC—AD 65) was a prominent stoic philosopher in Rome, as had a unique position as the advisor to newly appointment Emperor Nero in 54. His book called Letters from a Stoic is a favorite book on stoicism, and is full of wisdom and lessons about morality.
More explanation as below:
The anxiety that results from our premeditation of negative events is something that Seneca tried to demystify, and perhaps reconcile with the nature of our mind.
The Stoics had long recognised that our imagination had ramifications throughout our psyche. It could impact our wellbeing, our actions, and our perception of the world and of ourselves. It could skew it in such a way that it would lead us to self-deception. They saw no benefit to complaining about things outside of our control and in fact warned against the potential dangers of allowing our imagination to run wild.
Seneca (4 BC—AD 65) was a prominent stoic philosopher in Rome, as had a unique position as the advisor to newly appointment Emperor Nero in 54. His book called Letters from a Stoic is a favorite book on stoicism, and is full of wisdom and lessons about morality.
More explanation as below:
The anxiety that results from our premeditation of negative events is something that Seneca tried to demystify, and perhaps reconcile with the nature of our mind.
The Stoics had long recognised that our imagination had ramifications throughout our psyche. It could impact our wellbeing, our actions, and our perception of the world and of ourselves. It could skew it in such a way that it would lead us to self-deception. They saw no benefit to complaining about things outside of our control and in fact warned against the potential dangers of allowing our imagination to run wild.
- https://aureliusfoundation.com/blog/we-suffer-more-in-imagination-than-in-reality-explained-2022-04-01/
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Well said. So let's focus on our inner world, be stoic and happy, and "don’t borrow suffering".
Wish you all a peaceful and stoic Sunday.
