Seneca Letters #61 – On Meeting Death Cheerfully

Seneca’s “Letters from a Stoic” is a timeless collection of letters written to a friend named Lucilius. These letters cover various topics on how to live a good life and are full of insights that are still relevant today. In letter 61, Seneca discusses the importance of being independent and not relying on others for our happiness.

Seneca begins by discussing the problem of relying on others for our happiness. He notes that while it is natural to seek pleasure from our relationships with others, we should be careful not to become too dependent on them. He writes, “it is one thing to take delight in friends, another to be a slave to them; one thing to welcome them as guests, another to adopt them as masters.”

Seneca argues that our happiness should come from within, not from external sources. He writes, “for he who is happy within himself will necessarily be happy with all men who are like himself.” This means that we should focus on developing our own inner resources and not rely on others to make us happy.

One way to develop our inner resources, according to Seneca, is through philosophy. He writes, “philosophy is the only power that can expel our natural misery, and can moderate our excessive and foolish joy.” By studying philosophy and developing our own understanding of the world, we can become more self-sufficient and less reliant on others.

Seneca also discusses the importance of living in the present moment. He writes, “let us live while we live.” This means that we should not be overly concerned with the past or the future, but instead focus on the present moment. By living in the present, we can fully appreciate the joys of life and avoid becoming too attached to external things.

The most important quote from letter 61 is, “the best ideas are common property.” This statement highlights the importance of sharing knowledge and ideas with others. Seneca believed that knowledge should not be hoarded by the few, but instead shared with the many. This idea is still relevant today, especially in our age of information sharing and collaboration.

In conclusion, Seneca’s letter 61 is a reminder of the importance of self-sufficiency and living in the present moment. We should not rely on others for our happiness, but instead focus on developing our own inner resources. By studying philosophy and sharing knowledge with others, we can become more self-sufficient and live a more fulfilling life.