Laudator Temporis Acti

Seneca, On Anger 3.43.1-2 (tr. John W. Basore):

Why do you long to drag down the man who deals with you from too lofty a height? Why do you try with all your might to crush the man who rails against you, a low and contemptible fellow, but sharp-tongued and troublesome to his betters? Why are you angry with your slave, you with your master, you with your patron, you with your client? Wait a little. Behold, death comes, who will make you equals. At the morning performances in the arena we often see a battle between a bull and a bear tied together, and when they have harried each other, an appointed slayer awaits them. Their fate is ours; we harass some one bound closely to us, and yet the end, all too soon, threatens the victor and the vanquished. Rather let us spend the little time that is left in repose and peace!

quid illum nimis ex alto tecum agentem detrahere cupis? quid illum oblatrantem tibi, humilem quidem et contemptum, sed superioribus acidum ac molestum exterere viribus tuis temptas? quid servo, quid domino, quid regi, quid clienti tuo irasceris? sustine paulum; venit ecce mors quae vos pares faciat. videre solemus inter matutina harenae spectacula tauri et ursi pugnam inter se colligatorum, quos, cum alter alterum vexarunt, suus confector expectat. idem facimus, aliquem nobiscum adligatum lacessimus, cum victo victorique finis et quidem maturus immineat. quieti potius pacatique quantulumcumque superest exigamus!