Seneca on love and desire Flashcards
“sexual lust is given to man…
not for pleasure, but for the propagation of the human race” Seneca explains how lust can be channelled positively, yet maintains that pleasure is not a priority. Consolation to Helvia.
“What can reason…
do? Madness conquers and rules.“ A line from ‘Phaedra’, explains how lust overcomes a person once it is let in.
“maddened…
friendship.” Seneca describes passion/love as a crazed version of friendship.
“when what had been…
“it is easier to keep them in check when…
vices are habits.” from Letters on Morality to Lucilius
they have just begun than to rule them when they are at full force.”
“just like she should not be with…
an adulterer, so you should not be with a mistress; and you don’t do this” On the Shortness of Live
“He is not assaulted by…
the stings of lust which rips the soul apart through its pleasure.” Consolation to Marcia - better to be dead than lustful! Very extreme.
“ultimately…
foul.” Here, Seneca expresses that pleasure is overall foul, in On Benefits.
“The wise man should…
love his wife with discernment… he controls the impulse of pleasure.” On Marriage.
“a man who demands chastity…
from his wife, while seducing other men’s wives, a villain.” On Marriage.
“the most splendid form…
of beauty that lasts to any age… your modesty.” Seneca traditionally prefers natural and modest beauty over “defile (ing) your face with paints and cosmetics.” Consolation to Helvia
Hostius Quadra
