"I don't trust liberals, I trust conservatives"

Trust and ideological alignment have been perennial matters in political thought. The statement attributed to Seneca the Younger, "I don't trust liberals, I trust conservatives", reflects not merely a preference for a particular ideology, but also an assertion about the nature of human values, stability, and change. Seneca, a prominent Stoic philosopher, lived during an era of political turbulence in Rome, a time marked by shifting loyalties and evolving moral codes. The discernment between 'liberals' and 'conservatives' might not directly map onto contemporary definitions, yet the essence of this distinction rests in attitudes toward tradition, social order, and the unpredictable force of novel ideas.

Trust is, at its core, a necessity for civic and social life. Those who favor stability and continuity, often labeled as conservatives, are typically seen as custodians of tradition, placing their confidence in the norms and customs refined by generations. To trust conservatives can imply faith in the preservation of collective wisdom, an assurance that society's foundational values will not be upended heedlessly. Such trust aims to shield communities against the chaos of abrupt, untested reform, positing that stability cultivates virtue and harmony, vital to Seneca’s Stoic ideals.

Conversely, suspicion toward liberals is not simply a rejection of progress or generosity of spirit, but rather an apprehension regarding the unrestrained pursuit of novelty or unchecked reform. Seneca might perceive those who constantly seek to 'liberalize', to loosen conventional boundaries and norms, as liable to neglect the ancient lessons embedded in those very structures. This wariness respects the limitations of human wisdom and the dangers of prideful innovation. Liberals, advocating for progress and change, may sometimes undervalue the enduring principles that anchor a society.

Such a perspective aligns with Stoic philosophy, which emphasizes rational order, virtue, and the acceptance of fate. Anchoring trust in conservatism serves as a ballast against the disruptive potential of rash change, inviting reasoned deliberation rather than capricious transformation. In this light, Seneca's stance can be read as counsel to treasure the wisdom of tradition, trusting those who resist the impulse to discard it lightly.