Slavery and Fear of Death

"The man who is not afraid to die will always be your master." - Seneca, the Roman Stoic philosopher.

A corollary: Fear of death is what enslaves a person, and a person who is not afraid of death cannot be enslaved. Given that death is inevitable, it could be argued that to let one’s life be determined by fear of death is the most irrational thing in the world.

The above painting is “The Death of Seneca” by Rubens. Seneca was accused of treason by the Emperor Nero and was forced to commit suicide.

Other quotes by Seneca:

“Life without the courage for death is slavery”

“He who is brave is free”

“Men do not care how nobly they live, but only how long, although it is within the reach of every man to live nobly, but within no man's power to live long.”

“Death is the release from all pain and complete cessation, beyond which our suffering will not extend. It will return us to that condition of tranquility, which we had enjoyed before we were born. Should anyone mourn the deceased, then he must also mourn the unborn. Death is neither good nor evil, for good or evil can only be something that actually exists. However, whatever is of itself nothing and which transforms everything else into nothing will not all be able to put us at the mercy of Fate.”

“Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.”