# No Tree Becomes Strong Without the Wind by Seneca > “No tree becomes rooted and sturdy unless many a wind assails it.” > **— Seneca**, *On Providence, 4.16* ## Sources and Context - **Direct or authoritative text:** [On Providence, 4.16](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2007.01.0012%3Abook%3D1) — The Latin passage is *Non est arbor solida nec fortis nisi in quam frequens ventus incursat*; the Reminder uses John W. Basore’s 1928 English translation. - **Why it belongs here:** The passage describes improvement, revelation, learning, or increased capability through opposition, error, difficulty, or adversity. It does not imply that unlimited injury is beneficial. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Book:** [[books/Chimping Out|Chimping Out]] - **Article:** [[articles/Ideas as Lindy Organisms|Ideas as Lindy Organisms]] - **Article:** [[articles/artificial-intelligence/Cybernetic Domestication Syndrome of Men and AI|Cybernetic Domestication Syndrome of Men and AI]] - **Article:** [[articles/Authorship After the Threshold|Authorship After the Threshold]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Antifragility|Antifragility]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “No tree becomes rooted and sturdy unless many a wind assails it.” — Seneca, On Providence, 4.16 https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-seneca-tree-rooted-by-wind ```