Skip to content

Finish Quote by Seneca

“You must set your hands to tasks which you can finish or at least hope to finish, and avoid those which get bigger as you proceed and do not cease where you had intended.” quote by Seneca
Download Open image
““You must set your hands to tasks which you can finish or at least hope to finish, and avoid those which get bigger as you proceed and do not cease where you had intended.””

Seneca

About This Quote

Source Letter: Moral Letters to Lucilius, 1st century AD

Advise focusing on tasks you can complete or realistically hope to finish, and avoid expanding projects that become unmanageable.

In simple terms: Finish what you can, avoid endless growth.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize doable goals.

Themes

focus goal-setting self-discipline

Mood

determined pragmatic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • project planning
  • daily work
  • personal development
  • time management

Key Concepts

Stoicism pragmatism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What tasks can you realistically finish this week?
  • How do you decide when to say no?
A Different Perspective

May underestimate long-term value of ambitious projects.

4.9 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Seneca

Explore all 286 Seneca quotes

More Finish quotes

Browse all 1,526 Finish quotes