Seneca Letters #98 – On the Fickleness of Fortune

Seneca’s 98th letter is on the fickleness of fortune, highlighting how quickly one can fall from grace and the importance of not relying too much on external circumstances. The letter is addressed to Lucilius and is full of wisdom on how one can maintain a steady state of mind amidst the ups and downs of life.

Seneca begins by describing how fortune can often be fickle and how it can turn against us at any moment. He cites examples of famous men who have been brought down by fortune, like Pompey and Crassus. Seneca argues that the only way to prepare for this is to not get too attached to good fortune or wealth.

He notes that true happiness and stability come from within and not from external circumstances. He says, “There is no need to raise a laugh at the expense of a man who, after having made many journeys by sea and having entrusted his life to many different winds, suddenly found himself becalmed when he was in sight of harbour; he ought to have known that this was one of the risks which he ran when he embarked.”

Seneca also advises Lucilius to use reason and wisdom to prepare for the worst that fortune can bring. He reminds Lucilius that life is not always going to be easy and that there will be challenges and setbacks along the way. The key is to be prepared and to have a plan for how to handle difficult situations.

He writes, “We must make ready for the contest, not merely be trained to fight under good conditions, but also when they are bad.” In other words, we must not only prepare for the best-case scenario but also for the worst.

Seneca also stresses the importance of staying true to one’s values and principles, even in the face of adversity. He advises Lucilius to not compromise his integrity or morals for the sake of wealth or status. He notes, “It is not what you bear, but how you bear it that counts.”

The letter ends with Seneca urging Lucilius to take responsibility for his own life and not rely too much on external circumstances. He advises him to cultivate an inner peace that can withstand any challenges that life may throw his way. Seneca writes, “Fortune may snatch away riches, but not courage; it may take away honour, but not self-respect.”

The most important quote from this letter is, “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested.”

This quote emphasizes the importance of making the most of our time on earth and not wasting it on trivial pursuits or material possessions. Seneca reminds us that life is a precious gift and that we should use it to achieve our highest goals and aspirations.

In conclusion, Seneca’s 98th letter is a reminder to us all that fortune can be fickle, and that the only true source of happiness and stability comes from within. He advises us to stay true to our values and principles, to prepare for the worst, and to make the most of our time on earth. This letter is a powerful reminder of the importance of living a purposeful and meaningful life, and of not getting too caught up in the ups and downs of external circumstances.