It is dangerous for a man too suddenly, or too easily, to believe himself. Wherefore let us examine, watch, observe, and inspect our own hearts; for we are ourselves our own greatest flatterers: we should every night call ourselves to account, "What infirmity have I mastered to-day? what passion opposed? what temptation resisted? what virtue acquired?" Our vices will abate of themselves, if they be brought every day to the shrift.
¶ De Vita Beata (On the Happy Life)
Trans. Roger L'Estrange, Seneca's Morals: By Way of Abstract (1834). Full text.
Sometimes incorrectly quoted as "Our vices will abort of themselves ...."
