Imagine your character as an internal compass, guiding you through life's storms and sunny days alike. Seneca reminds us that if we cultivate a good character, we secure a kind of happiness that endures, one that doesn't wither with the winds of chance or sink under the weight of hardship.

When you're faced with a tough decision or a trying moment today, ask yourself: am I being guided by the steady hand of a well-tempered spirit?

From time to time, challenges will arise; they're the clouds that fleetingly block the sun's warmth. However, remember that these obstacles don't darken the world, they merely cast temporary shadows.

Your character is the sun in this metaphor, its enduring light is your capacity for wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation.

Will you let passing clouds throw you into despair, or will you trust in the constancy of your inner light to eventually shine through?

The choice, as Seneca suggests, is yours—and yours alone.