Fear and hope - the words of the wise

I can't resist the temptation of sharing some incredibly pertinent passages from my favorite new stoic philosopher, Seneca, whom I already quoted in a previous post (in French).

I finally cracked the covers of Letters to Lucilius, and have been delighted with Seneca's stoical pragmatism.  This is a book that has lived on our bookshelf at least 6 countries since 1993, when my brother gave it to my husband as a Christmas present (Seneca is "Sénèque" in French... so kind of a joke present) and never been read. I'm usually more of an escapist novel reader, but I had run out of reading matter, so I decided to give Seneca a try (I will read a cereal box if truly desperate). This is why I hate to give away books: you never know when you might get around to reading them.

Letter 13, on fear and fortitude, speaks directly to what we have experienced through this past month in Tokyo - and will continue to face, as earthquakes occur daily (a 6-/7 at 17:19 in Fukushima just gave us a strong enough rattle that I dived under the desk). 

There are more things, Lucilius, likely to frighten us than there are to crush us; we suffer more often in imagination than in reality.(...) What I advise you to do is, not to be unhappy before the crisis comes; since it may be that the dangers before which you paled as if they were threatening you, will never come upon you; they certainly have not yet come.  Accordingly, some things torment us more than they ought; some torment us before they ought; and some torment us when they ought not to torment us at all.  We are in the habit of exaggerating, or imagining, or anticipating, sorrow. (...)

And somehow or other it is the idle report that disturbs us most.  For truth has its own definite boundaries, but that which arises from uncertainty is delivered over to guesswork and the irresponsible license of a frightened mind.  That is why no fear is so ruinous and so uncontrollable as panic fear.  For other fears are groundless, but this fear is witless. 

Let us, then, look carefully into the matter. It is likely that some troubles will befall us; but it is not a present fact.  How often has the unexpected happened!  How often has the expected never come to pass!  And even though it is ordained to be, what does it avail to run out to meet your suffering?  You will suffer soon enough, when it arrives; so look forward meanwhile to better things.  What shall you gain by doing this?  Time.  There will be many happenings meanwhile which will serve to postpone, or end ...the trials which are near.  (...)

Life is not worth living, and there is no limit to our misery, if we indulge our fears to the greatest possible extent; in this matter, let prudence help you, and resist fear of trouble with a resolute spirit even when it is in plain sight.  If you cannot do this, counter one weakness with another, and temper your fear with hope...

Most men, even when no troubles are actually at hand or are to be expected in the future, become excited and disquieted... We let ourselves drift with every breeze; we are frightened at uncertainties, just as if they were certain.  We observe no moderation.  The slightest thing turns the scales and throws us forthwith into a panic.