“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.”
Seneca · Letters to Lucilius, Letter 2
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Retire into yourself as much as you can. Associate with those who will make a better man of you.
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About this quote
Meaning
Seneca is offering two related pieces of advice in a single breath. The first is to practice a kind of inward withdrawal, spending time with your own thoughts rather than constantly seeking external stimulation or company. The second is that when you do choose company, choose it deliberately. The people around you shape your habits, your standards, and your expectations without you always noticing. Seeking out those who challenge you to be better is one of the most effective and underused tools for self-improvement.
Context
This comes from Letter 7 of the Letters to Lucilius, in which Seneca warns his friend about the corrupting influence of crowds and casual association. He observed that time spent in large gatherings tends to lower a person's standards rather than raise them, because the pull of the group is usually toward comfort and conformity rather than excellence. The letter is not a call to hermit-like isolation but a practical recommendation: guard your attention and your social circle as carefully as you guard any other valuable resource.
About the author
Lucius Annaeus Seneca, known as Seneca the Younger, was a Roman Stoic philosopher, dramatist, and statesman of the first century of the common era. He held considerable political influence as a tutor and advisor to Emperor Nero. His Letters to Lucilius, written near the end of his life, are among the most accessible and enduring works of ancient philosophy, blending personal reflection with moral instruction.
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