--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The mind is a matter over every kind of…" description: "\"The mind is a matter over every kind of fortune; itself acts in both ways, being the cause of its own happiness and misery.\" — Seneca the Younger" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/seneca-the-younger-219_causes_the-mind-is-a-matter-over-every-kind-of_509419.jpg" --- # The mind is a matter over every kind of fortune; itself… ![“The mind is a matter over every kind of fortune; itself acts in both ways, being the cause of its own happiness and misery.” quote by Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/seneca-the-younger-219_causes_the-mind-is-a-matter-over-every-kind-of_509419.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/seneca-the-younger-219_causes_the-mind-is-a-matter-over-every-kind-of_509419.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8a/seneca-the-younger-219_causes_the-mind-is-a-matter-over-every-kind-of_509419.jpg) > “The mind is a matter over every kind of fortune; itself acts in both ways, being the cause of its own happiness and misery.” [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our thoughts shape our fate; they create both joy and suffering. **In simple terms:** Mind determines happiness or misery. Key Takeaway Cultivate positive thinking. Themes philosophy psychology self‑control Mood reflective serious Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - personal growth - stress management - decision making Key Concepts Stoicism causality mindset Questions to Reflect On - How do your thoughts influence your daily outcomes? - Can you separate internal attitudes from external circumstances? A Different Perspective Mind alone cannot change external events. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Misery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misery/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [The happiness and misery of men depend no less on temper than fortune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-happiness-and-misery-of-men-depend-no-less-on-temper-than-fortune/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“Happiness and misery are both delusions. 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Some whenever they go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anoynomous/some-people-cause-happiness-wherever-they-go-some-whenever-they-go/) Anoynomous ## More by Seneca the Younger > [There is nothing that we can properly call our own but our time, and yet everybody fools us out of it who has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/there-is-nothing-that-we-can-properly-call-our-own-but-our-time-and/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [It is for the superfluous we sweat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-for-the-superfluous-we-sweat/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Men trust rather to their eyes than to their ears; the effect of precepts is therefore slow and tedious, whilst that of examples is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-trust-rather-to-their-eyes-than-to-their-ears-the-effect-of/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [A great step towards independence is a good-humored stomach, one that is willing to endure rough treatment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/a-great-step-towards-independence-is-a-good-humored-stomach-one-that/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Men can be divided into 2 groups: one that goes ahead and achieves something, and one that comes after and criticizes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-can-be-divided-into-2-groups-one-that-goes-ahead-and-achieves/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Leisure without study is death, and the grave of a living man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/leisure-without-study-is-death-and-the-grave-of-a-living-man/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Such as the chain of causes we call Fate, such is the chain of wishes: one links on to another; the whole man is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/such-as-the-chain-of-causes-we-call-fate-such-is-the-chain-of-wishes/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [To rule yourself is the ultimate power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/to-rule-yourself-is-the-ultimate-power/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [The road by precepts is tedious, by example, short and efficacious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/the-road-by-precepts-is-tedious-by-example-short-and-efficacious/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Misfortune is the test of a person's merit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/misfortune-is-the-test-of-a-person-s-merit/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [He who does not want to die should not want to live. 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