"Whatever fortune has raised to a height, she has raised only to cast it down"
- Seneca the Younger
About this Quote
This quote by Lucius Annaeus Seneca talks to the concept of the fleeting nature of fortune and success. It recommends that whatever good fortune or success an individual has achieved, it is just short-lived and will eventually be eliminated. This could be analyzed as a cautioning to not become too connected to material possessions or success, as it can be removed at any moment. It likewise speaks with the concept of humbleness, as it recommends that no matter how high a person rises, they should stay humble and not end up being too pleased with their accomplishments. Eventually, this quote acts as a tip that no matter just how much success a person has, it is just momentary and need to not be considered given.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures"