“It is the sign of a great mind to dislike greatness, and to prefer things in measure to things in excess.”
- c. 4 BC – AD 65
- Roman
- Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist, Stoic Thinker, Advisor to Emperor Nero
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Quote
“It is the sign of a great mind to dislike greatness, and to prefer things in measure to things in excess.”
Explanation
True wisdom lies in rejecting excess and valuing moderation. Seneca the Younger asserts that a truly great mind does not chase fame, luxury, or power, but instead seeks balance, restraint, and simplicity. The paradox here is that those who are genuinely great do not desire to be seen as such, because they understand that excess often leads to moral decay and unrest.
This reflects the Stoic commitment to self-sufficiency (autarkeia) and the golden mean—the idea that virtue lies between extremes. Seneca saw the pursuit of “greatness” in the worldly sense—riches, status, indulgence—as a path to slavery, not freedom. The wise person prefers sufficiency to abundance, and humility to grandeur, because only then can the mind remain free, clear, and in harmony with nature.
In today’s world, where ambition is often measured by wealth or visibility, Seneca’s quote challenges the cult of excess. Choosing moderation in lifestyle, thought, and ambition is not a sign of weakness, but of strength and clarity. The greatest minds do not seek to dominate or accumulate, but to live wisely and with purpose, guided by reason rather than desire.
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