Seneca the Younger Quotes

I’ve had it with all stingy-hearted sons of bitches. A heart is to be spent.

Liberality should be tempered with judgment, not with profuseness.

Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest, Lend less than thou owest.

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.

It takes a great man to give sound advice tactfully, but a greater to accept it graciously.

Open your mouth and purse cautiously, and your stock of wealth and reputation shall, at least in repute, be great.

The heart is great which shows moderation in the midst of prosperity.

At the beginning of the cask and the end take thy fill but be saving in the middle; for at the bottom the savings comes too late.

If we have the opportunity to be generous with our hearts, ourselves, we have no idea of the depth and breadth of love's reach.

You can be the greatest guy in the world but if you ain't got no heart, you ain't gonna survive.

Candor and generosity, unless tempered by due moderation, leads to ruin.

Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little minds go ill together.

The true grandeur and excellence of a prince ... does not consist in honors, in gold, in purple, and other luxuries of fortune, but in prudence, wisdom and knowledge.

Generosity is a virtue, but unlimited generosity is a fast route to bankruptcy.

Unite liberality with a just frugality; always reserve something for the hand of charity; and never let your door be closed to the voice of suffering humanity.

What's really important is to recognize when people do great things or when people pursue an initiative or show enormous generosity or heart or bravery.

True Hospitality is welcoming the stranger on her own terms. This kind of hospitality can only be offered by those who've found the center of their lives in their own hearts.

What a world of trouble those who never marry escape! There are many happy matches, it is true, and sometimes "my dear," and "my love" come from the heart; but what sensible bachelor, rejoicing in his freedom and years of discretion, will run the tremendous risk?

A soft, easy life is not worth living, if it impairs the fibre of brain and heart and muscle. We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage... For us is the life of action, of strenuous performance of duty; let us live in the harness, striving mightily; let us rather run the risk of wearing out than rusting out.

Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.

Mighty of heart, mighty of mind, magnanimous-to be this is indeed to be great in life.

It is mine to give to whom I will, like my heart.

Some are unwisely liberal, and more delight to give presents than to pay debts.

Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart.

Only great souls know the grandeur there is in charity.