The wise man avoids evil by anticipating it

A conversation with ChatGPT about quotes from Publilius Syrus and Seneca

Jannik: How would you translate the following verse from Publilius Syrus: Semper metuendo sapiens evitat malum?

ChatGPT: The verse from Publilius Syrus translates to: "The wise person always avoids evil by fearing it."

Jannik: What does metuendo mean?

ChatGPT: Metuendo is a gerund form of the Latin verb "metuere", which means "to fear" or "to be afraid". So, metuendo can be translated as "by fearing" or "through fear". In the context of the verse "Semper metuendo sapiens evitat malum", it could be translated as "By always fearing, the wise person avoids evil."

Jannik: Or perhaps "By always being apprehensive"?

ChatGPT: Yes, "By always being apprehensive" could also be a possible translation of "Semper metuendo".

Jannik: This quote is obviously related to the following two quotes from Publilius Syrus:

"The danger despised is the first to reach us".

"He keeps furthest from danger who looks out while he is safe."

ChatGPT: Yes, that's right. All three quotes from Publilius Syrus speak to the importance of being cautious and taking proactive measures to avoid danger. By always being apprehensive or mindful of potential risks, we are better able to avoid harm and stay safe. The danger that we underestimate or ignore is often the one that catches us off guard, which is why it is essential to be vigilant and proactive in protecting ourselves.

Jannik: So, perhaps, even though metuere does not strictly mean "to anticipate", it's more true to the spirit of Publilius' thinking to translate the first quote as D. Lyman does: "The wise man avoids evil by anticipating it".

ChatGPT: Yes, that is a valid interpretation and translation that captures the essence of Publilius Syrus' philosophy. While the literal translation of "metuere" may be "to fear" or "to be afraid," the context and intention behind the quote suggest that it is about being aware of potential dangers and taking steps to avoid them. In this sense, "anticipating" or "being apprehensive" can be seen as a suitable translation for "metuere" in this quote.

Jannik: Here's Seneca talking about how to prepare for adversity in a related quote:

"You cannot escape these things, but you can rise above them, and you will succeed in doing so if you frequently reflect on and anticipate the future. Everyone has greater fortitude in arriving at a situation for which he has long prepared himself, and hardships that have been anticipated can also be withstood. in contrast, utterly trivial things can terrify people who are not prepared for them. We must see to it that we have not overlooked anything. Because everything is more serious when it is new, constant reflection will ensure that you do not face any trouble as a raw recruit".

- Seneca, Letters, 107.3-4

ChatGPT: Seneca's quote emphasizes the importance of anticipating and preparing for adversity. He suggests that while we cannot completely escape challenges and hardships, we can rise above them by reflecting on and anticipating future difficulties. By doing so, we can build up our fortitude and resilience to better withstand hardships when they do arise.

Seneca also points out that people who have prepared themselves for adversity are better equipped to handle difficult situations than those who have not. Conversely, even trivial things can be overwhelming to those who are unprepared. Therefore, we must ensure that we have not overlooked anything and be vigilant in our preparations.

The idea of anticipating and preparing for adversity is a common theme in Stoic philosophy. By accepting that challenges and hardships are a natural part of life, and by actively preparing for them, we can develop the strength and resilience to face them with equanimity and grace.

Jannik: Yes, but I don't recall seeing this theme being treated in the sources for Stoicism before Seneca. The quotes from Publilius Syrus are the only place that I can think of where this theme shows up before Seneca.

ChatGPT: You may be right that this specific theme is not as prominent in earlier Stoic sources. However, the idea of anticipating and preparing for future adversities is a fundamental aspect of Stoic philosophy. The Stoics believed that one should be mentally prepared for whatever might happen in life, and that this mental preparedness is key to achieving inner tranquility and serenity in the face of adversity.

For example, in Epictetus' Enchiridion, he writes: "Don't hope that events will turn out the way you want, welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace." This suggests that one should be mentally prepared for any eventuality, rather than hoping that things will always go according to plan.

Similarly, in Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, he emphasizes the importance of mental preparation for future events: "The things that are external to my mind have no relation to my mind." This means that events in the external world cannot harm us if we have prepared our minds to accept them.

So while the specific quotes from Publilius Syrus may be some of the earliest examples of this theme, the idea of mental preparation for adversity is a central tenet of Stoic philosophy that can be found throughout the works of later Stoic thinkers.

Jannik: Yes, no argument there :-)

ChatGPT: Is there anything else you would like to know or discuss?

Jannik: Not right now.

ChatGPT: Alright, feel free to ask me anything anytime. Have a great day!

A philosopher facing adversity. Image made with Bing Image Creator.