Brave men rejoice in adversity, just as brave soldiers triumph in war.
Lucius Annaeus SenecaRead
It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our reluctance to take risks makes challenges seem harder than they are.
This quote by Seneca highlights the concept that our fears prevent us from attempting difficult tasks. It suggests that if we are courageous and willing to take the first step, we can often find that challenges are more manageable than they appear, implying that the act of venturing forth is what makes tasks seem less daunting.
Themes
CourageVenturingDifficultiesChallengesFear
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to encourage students to take risks in their careers.
More from Lucius Annaeus Seneca
All quotes →Everything is the product of one universal creative effort. There is nothing dead in Nature. Everything is organic and living, and therefore the whole world appears to be a living organism.
Lucius Annaeus SenecaRead
The things hardest to bear are sweetest to remember.
Lucius Annaeus SenecaRead
A kingdom founded on injustice never lasts.
Lucius Annaeus SenecaRead
True happiness is... to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.
Lucius Annaeus SenecaRead
A well governed appetite is the greater part of liberty.
Lucius Annaeus SenecaRead
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