Seneca, Letters to Lucilius 24.20
What it means
Death is not one event at the end, Seneca says, but a slow subtraction that started at birth. Childhood and youth are already gone. Seen that way, each day is worth spending well.
The source
"We die a little every day." Seneca said it in Letters to Lucilius 24.20. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.
"Cotidie morimur"Original Latin, Letters to Lucilius 24.20. 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 "We die a little every day." mean?
- Death is not one event at the end, Seneca says, but a slow subtraction that started at birth. Childhood and youth are already gone. Seen that way, each day is worth spending well.
- Who said "We die a little every day."?
- Seneca (c. 4 BC–65 AD). Source: Letters to Lucilius 24.20.
- What is the original Latin?
- Cotidie morimur. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.
- Is "We die a little every day." 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
"We die a little every day." (Seneca, Letters to Lucilius 24.20, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/we-die-a-little-every-day
Filed under Quotes about time and Stoic quotes.
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The same line in every look it fits. Each one is printed to order on heavy cotton, same price.
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