Letters 21.5

The deep flood of time will roll over us; some few great men will raise their heads above it, and, though destined at the last to depart into the same realms of silence, will battle against oblivion and maintain their ground for long.

That which Epicurus could promise his friend, this I promise you, Lucilius. I shall find favour among later generations; I can take with me names that will endure as long as mine. Our poet Vergil promised an eternal name to two heroes, and is keeping his promise:

Blest heroes twain! If power my song possess, The record of your names shall never be Erased from out the book of Time, while yet Aeneas' tribe shall keep the Capitol, That rock immovable, and Roman sire Shall empire hold.

Seneca, Letters to Lucilius 21.5, translated by Richard Mott Gummere