“The less we deserve good fortune, the more we hope for it.”
- c. 4 BC – AD 65
- Roman
- Philosopher, Statesman, Dramatist, Stoic Thinker, Advisor to Emperor Nero
table of contents
Quote
“The less we deserve good fortune, the more we hope for it.”
Explanation
Seneca reveals a paradox of human nature: those who have done the least to earn good fortune often hope for it most intensely. This reflects a Stoic critique of wishful thinking and moral laziness, where people place their hopes in luck or external rewards rather than in effort, virtue, and inner preparation. The quote suggests that when we lack moral merit or discipline, we are more likely to chase fortune as a substitute for earned satisfaction.
For the Stoics, hope that is detached from reason and action is a form of self-deception. True hope must be grounded in virtue and work, not fantasy. Seneca implies that those who do not cultivate wisdom, courage, or justice often turn to fortune as a kind of shortcut to happiness—wishing for outcomes they have not truly pursued through effort or principle.
In modern life, this insight critiques the tendency to expect rewards—success, recognition, happiness—without doing the internal or external work required. Seneca reminds us that the noblest path to fulfillment is through personal growth and responsibility, not through hoping that luck will fill the void. The more we live in accordance with virtue, the less we need to depend on fortune—and the more fulfilled we become regardless of what chance may bring.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
