Fear and Hope. Seneca, Epistles 2.13.12
Fear and hope: Seneca regards both as dangerous, calling them vices (vitia) here. We must strive not to act solely upon either, but we can use one to oppose the other if we are weak. Too scared? Invoke hope. Too sanguine? Remember fear. And try to find the prudence that sees beyond them both.
Nonnumquam, nullis apparentibus signis quae mali aliquid praenuntient, animus sibi falsas imagines fingit: aut verbum aliquod dubiae significationis detorquet in peius aut maiorem sibi offensam proponit alicuius quam est, et cogitat non quam iratus ille sit, sed quantum liceat irato. Nulla autem causa vitae est, nullus miseriarum modus, si timetur quantum potest. Hic prudentia prosit, hic robore animi evidentem quoque metum respue; si minus, vitio vitium repelle, spe metum tempera. Nihil tam certum est ex his quae timentur ut non certius sit et formidata subsidere et sperata decipere.
Sometimes, even though no apparent signs announce the approach of anything evil, the mind still creates false images of woe for itself. It twists some word of doubtful meaning to indicate worse than it does, or takes greater offense than was intended, and wonders not why another is angry, considering instead the freedom we allow to the furious. Our life will have no justification, our miseries no end, if we deign to fear what is possible. Let prudence come to your aid here. Cast your fear back resolutely, with a strong mind, even when it appears fully justified. If that is too much, then drive one vice out with another, mastering your fear with hope. Among the things we dread, nothing is as certain as this: our fears subside, and our hopes deceive.
Nonnumquam, nullis apparentibus signis quae mali aliquid praenuntient, animus sibi falsas imagines fingit: aut verbum aliquod dubiae significationis detorquet in peius aut maiorem sibi offensam proponit alicuius quam est, et cogitat non quam iratus ille sit, sed quantum liceat irato. Nulla autem causa vitae est, nullus miseriarum modus, si timetur quantum potest. Hic prudentia prosit, hic robore animi evidentem quoque metum respue; si minus, vitio vitium repelle, spe metum tempera. Nihil tam certum est ex his quae timentur ut non certius sit et formidata subsidere et sperata decipere.
Sometimes, even though no apparent signs announce the approach of anything evil, the mind still creates false images of woe for itself. It twists some word of doubtful meaning to indicate worse than it does, or takes greater offense than was intended, and wonders not why another is angry, considering instead the freedom we allow to the furious. Our life will have no justification, our miseries no end, if we deign to fear what is possible. Let prudence come to your aid here. Cast your fear back resolutely, with a strong mind, even when it appears fully justified. If that is too much, then drive one vice out with another, mastering your fear with hope. Among the things we dread, nothing is as certain as this: our fears subside, and our hopes deceive.