Moral Letter 13: "On Groundless Fears" and the Rule For Discerning Real or Imaginary Fears

"There are more things, Lucilius, likely to frighten us than there are to crush us ; we suffer more often in imagination than in reality. . . What I advise you to do is, not to be unhappy before the crisis comes . . .  some things torment us more than they ought ; some torment us before they ought ; and some torment us when they ought not to torment us at all. We are in the habit of exaggerating, or imagining, or anticipating, sorrow. . . .

You may retort with the question: "How am I to know whether my sufferings are real or imaginary?" Here is the rule for such matters: We are tormented either by things present, or by things to come, or by both. As to things present, the decision is easy. . . As to what may happen to it in the future, we shall see later on. To-day there is nothing wrong with it.

For it is more often the case that we are troubled by our apprehensions, and that we are mocked by that mocker, rumour, which is wont to settle wars, but much more often settles individuals. Yes, my dear Lucilius ; we agree too quickly with what people say. We do not put to the test those things which cause our fear; we do not examine into them ; we blench and retreat just like soldiers who are forced to abandon their camp because of a dust-cloud raised by stampeding cattle, or are thrown into a panic by the spreading of some unauthenticated rumour. . .  somehow or other it is the idle report that disturbs us most. . . .

Accordingly, weigh carefully your hopes as well as your fears, and whenever all the elements are in doubt, decide in your own favour ; believe what you prefer. And if fear wins a majority of the votes, incline in the other direction anyhow, and cease to harass your soul."