In Seneca’s thirteenth letter, he writes to his friend Lucilius about the importance of balance in life. Seneca argues that one must strike a balance between being frugal and being generous. He acknowledges that frugality is a virtue, but also warns against being so frugal that one becomes miserly and greedy. Similarly, while generosity is […]
Seneca Letters #13 – On Groundless Fears Read More »
In Seneca’s twelfth letter, he discusses the topic of old age and the approaching end of life. He starts by acknowledging that the fear of death is natural and common, but argues that it should not consume us or prevent us from living a good life. Seneca believes that old age should be viewed as
Seneca Letters #12 – On Old Age Read More »
In Letter #11, Seneca writes to his friend Lucilius about the importance of choosing a virtuous life. He argues that the pursuit of wisdom and morality should be our highest priority, even if it means giving up other pleasures or pursuits that society deems important. He encourages Lucilius to focus on his own character and
Seneca Letters #11 – On the Blush of Modesty Read More »
In the tenth letter of Seneca’s “Letters to Lucilius,” Seneca advises his friend Lucilius on the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own actions and thoughts. The letter begins with the observation that many people tend to blame external circumstances for their problems, rather than looking inward and taking responsibility for their own thoughts and
Seneca Letters #10 – On Living to Oneself Read More »
In the ninth letter of Seneca’s “Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium,” the ancient Roman philosopher explores the topic of wisdom and how we can cultivate it in our lives. Seneca believed that wisdom was essential for living a good life and that it could be achieved through a combination of study, reflection, and practical experience. “True
Seneca Letters #9 – On Philosophy and Friendship Read More »
In the eighth letter of Seneca’s “Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium,” the ancient Roman philosopher reflects on the nature of freedom and how we can achieve it in our lives. Seneca believed that true freedom came from within and that we could cultivate it by mastering our own desires and emotions. “We should always be asking
Seneca Letters #8 – On the Philosopher’s Seclusion Read More »
In the seventh letter of Seneca’s “Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium,” the ancient Roman philosopher reflects on the value of time and the importance of using it wisely. Seneca believed that time was one of our most precious resources, and that wasting it was one of the greatest sins we could commit. “We are not given
Seneca Letters #7 – On Crowds Read More »
In the sixth letter of Seneca’s “Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium,” the ancient Roman philosopher reflects on the nature of philosophy and the importance of applying philosophical principles to everyday life. Seneca believed that philosophy was not just an abstract pursuit, but a practical tool for living a fulfilling life. “Nothing is more honorable than a
Seneca Letters #6 – On Sharing Knowledge Read More »
In the fifth letter of Seneca’s “Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium,” the ancient Roman philosopher offers his friend Lucilius advice on how to deal with anger and control one’s emotions. Seneca believed that the ability to control one’s emotions was essential to living a fulfilling life, and in this letter, he provides practical guidance on how
Seneca Letters #5 – On the Philosopher’s Mean Read More »
Seneca’s Letters, also known as the “Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium,” are a collection of 124 letters written by the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca to his friend Lucilius. In this post, we’ll focus on the fourth letter of the collection, which explores the nature of true friendship and the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships. “It is
Seneca Letters #4 – On the Terrors of Death Read More »