A good mind is open to everyone. Here we're all noble.
Seneca, Letters to Lucilius 44.2
bona mens omnibus patet, omnes ad hoc sumus nobiles
A good mind is open to everyone. Here we're all noble.
Seneca, Letters to Lucilius 44.2
What it means
Philosophy, Seneca says, neither rejects nor picks anyone. Socrates was not a patrician and Cleanthes drew water for a living. Birth does not decide your worth; what you make of your mind does.
The source
"A good mind is open to everyone. Here we're all noble." Seneca said it in Letters to Lucilius 44.2. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.
"bona mens omnibus patet, omnes ad hoc sumus nobiles"Original Latin, Letters to Lucilius 44.2. Text read at thelatinlibrary.com.
Who said it
Seneca (c. 4 BC–65 AD). Stoic philosopher, playwright and adviser to the emperor Nero. His letters to his friend Lucilius are the most readable handbook of Stoicism ever written.
Questions
- What does "A good mind is open to everyone. Here we're all noble." mean?
- Philosophy, Seneca says, neither rejects nor picks anyone. Socrates was not a patrician and Cleanthes drew water for a living. Birth does not decide your worth; what you make of your mind does.
- Who said "A good mind is open to everyone. Here we're all noble."?
- Seneca (c. 4 BC–65 AD). Source: Letters to Lucilius 44.2.
- What is the original Latin?
- bona mens omnibus patet, omnes ad hoc sumus nobiles. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.
- Is "A good mind is open to everyone. Here we're all noble." on a shirt?
- Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.
Cite this line
"A good mind is open to everyone. Here we're all noble." (Seneca, Letters to Lucilius 44.2, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/a-good-mind-is-open-to-everyone-here
Filed under Quotes about character and Stoic quotes.
Wear it your way
The same line in every look it fits. Each one is printed to order on heavy cotton, same price.
Goes well with
Not right? Don't do it. Not true? Don't say it.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.17
from$44
Whatever they say, stay emerald.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.15
from$44
Applause is just tongues clapping.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.16
from$44
Look up at dawn. There's no veil over a star.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11.27
from$44
More from Seneca
- Claim yourself back.Letters to Lucilius 1.1
- Most of life slips away doing nothing, or the wrong thing.Letters to Lucilius 1.1
- While you put life off, it runs past.Letters to Lucilius 1.3
- Nothing is truly yours except your time.Letters to Lucilius 1.3
- Be everywhere and you are nowhere.Letters to Lucilius 2.2
- Poor is not having little. Poor is wanting more.Letters to Lucilius 2.6