More things scare us than crush us.

What it means

Most of what we dread never lands, and much of our pain comes from what we think rather than what happens. Before you panic, ask whether the thing is actually here or only imagined. Deal with the real part and drop the rest.

The source

"More things scare us than crush us." Seneca said it in Letters to Lucilius 13.4. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

"Plura sunt, Lucili, quae nos terrent quam quae premunt, et saepius opinione quam re laboramus."

Original Latin, Letters to Lucilius 13.4. 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 "More things scare us than crush us." mean?

Most of what we dread never lands, and much of our pain comes from what we think rather than what happens. Before you panic, ask whether the thing is actually here or only imagined. Deal with the real part and drop the rest.

Who said "More things scare us than crush us."?

Seneca (c. 4 BC–65 AD). Source: Letters to Lucilius 13.4.

What is the original Latin?

Plura sunt, Lucili, quae nos terrent quam quae premunt, et saepius opinione quam re laboramus. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

Is "More things scare us than crush us." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"More things scare us than crush us." (Seneca, Letters to Lucilius 13.4, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/more-things-scare-us-than-crush-us