Guilt Follows You
“A guilty person sometimes has the luck to escape detection, but never to feel sure of it.”
—Seneca
Letters From A Stoic
Imagine you’ve pulled a fast one on your boss by calling in sick just to enjoy a sunny day outside. Sure, you might manage to avoid getting caught this time, but there’s a subtle tension that ripples beneath your day—what if someone sees you? Could your boss find out?
Seneca's words remind us that while escaping detection might seem like luck, it’s tainted by the constant fear of discovery. It's like walking a tightrope; you can never truly relax knowing that one slip could send everything crashing down.
Now, let's apply Seneca's wisdom to your daily life. Each time you're tempted to cut corners or conceal something, pause and ask yourself: is the fleeting advantage worth the lingering unease? When we act with integrity, we build a foundation of trust—both with others and within ourselves. That feeling of certainty and inner peace you cultivate is the real jackpot.
So next time you face a choice between a quick escape or the harder path of honesty, remember: is the short-lived luck of not getting caught truly worth the long-term cost of never feeling sure?