For the young, there is nothing unattainable; a good thing desired with the whole force of a passionate will, and yet impossible, is to them not credible. Yet, by death, by illness, by poverty, or by the voice of duty, we must learn, each one of us, that the world was not made for us, and that, however beautiful may be the things we crave, Fate may nevertheless forbid them. It is the part of courage, when misfortune comes, to bear without regretting the ruin of our hopes, to turn away our thoughts from vain regrets. This degree of submission to power is not only just and right: it is the very gate of wisdom. . Bertrand Russell
About This Quote

In this quote, Seneca is encouraging a young man who is losing his parents. He tells the young man that there is nothing unattainable, but that he must learn that nothing is untouchable. That includes death, illness, poverty and the voice of duty. In order for him to gain wisdom, he must let go of his feelings of loss and move on.

Seneca uses this quote to explain how he handled his own loss of parents. He tried to make the best of his situation and accepted the loss of his parent's love. He said: "Nothing is unattainable; a good thing desired with the whole force of a passionate will, and yet impossible, is to them not credible."

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