Stop praying for it. Make yourself happy.

What it means

Seneca asks why a grown man keeps pestering the gods with wishes. Happiness comes from knowing that only what is joined to virtue is good. That work is yours to do.

The source

"Stop praying for it. Make yourself happy." Seneca said it in Letters to Lucilius 31.5. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

"Quid votis opus est? fac te ipse felicem"

Original Latin, Letters to Lucilius 31.5. 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 "Stop praying for it. Make yourself happy." mean?

Seneca asks why a grown man keeps pestering the gods with wishes. Happiness comes from knowing that only what is joined to virtue is good. That work is yours to do.

Who said "Stop praying for it. Make yourself happy."?

Seneca (c. 4 BC–65 AD). Source: Letters to Lucilius 31.5.

What is the original Latin?

Quid votis opus est? fac te ipse felicem. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Stop praying for it. Make yourself happy." on a shirt?

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

"Stop praying for it. Make yourself happy." (Seneca, Letters to Lucilius 31.5, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/stop-praying-for-it-make-yourself-happy