“It is the superfluous things for which men sweat, – superfluous things that wear our togas threadbare, that force us to grow old in camp, that dash us upon foreign shores.”
- c. 4 BC – AD 65
- Roman
- Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist, Stoic Thinker, Advisor to Emperor Nero
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Quote
“It is the superfluous things for which men sweat, – superfluous things that wear our togas threadbare, that force us to grow old in camp, that dash us upon foreign shores.”
Explanation
Seneca laments that much of human effort is wasted in the pursuit of unnecessary things—luxuries, status, and material excess. These “superfluous things” drive people to exhaust themselves, wearing down their bodies, sacrificing their youth, and even risking their lives abroad. Rather than striving for wisdom, virtue, or inner peace, men are consumed by the chase for what adds nothing to true happiness. This is a Stoic critique of vain ambition and misplaced values.
In ancient Rome, citizens often endured hardships in war, trade, and politics for the sake of wealth or reputation. Seneca saw such pursuits as foolish distractions from the good life, which for the Stoic is grounded in reason, simplicity, and self-sufficiency. The image of a threadbare toga or aging in a military camp emphasizes the cost of chasing what we do not truly need—not just in comfort, but in time and integrity.
This message holds powerful relevance today. Many people sacrifice health, relationships, and peace of mind for careers, possessions, or social approval. Seneca reminds us that what drains us most is often what matters least, and that the wise life requires us to distinguish the necessary from the vain, and to reclaim our energy for what genuinely nourishes the soul.
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