Seneca Letters #27 – On the Good which Abides

In his twenty-seventh letter, Seneca addresses the topic of friendship, one of the most important aspects of a virtuous life. He discusses the nature of true friendship and how it can provide comfort, support, and guidance to those who cultivate it.

One of the most important points that Seneca makes in this letter is that true friendship is based on shared values and virtues, not on superficial qualities such as wealth, status, or physical attractiveness. He writes, “A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.”

Seneca goes on to explain that true friends are rare and that we should cherish them when we find them. He warns against putting too much trust in superficial acquaintances or fair-weather friends, writing, “It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of truth.”

Seneca also emphasizes the importance of being a good friend ourselves, saying that we should always be willing to help and support our friends, even if it means sacrificing our own comfort or happiness. He writes, “No person has ever been so far advanced by Fortune that she did not threaten him as greatly as she had previously indulged him. Do not trust her seeming calm; in a moment the sea is moved to its depths.”

Ultimately, Seneca argues that friendship is essential to living a virtuous life and that we should make every effort to cultivate and maintain true friendships. He concludes the letter by saying, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.”

The most important quote from Letter #27 is, “A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.” This quote emphasizes the importance of genuine friendship that is based on shared values and virtues rather than superficial qualities. It highlights the idea that true friends are rare and that we should cherish and value them when we find them. This quote also suggests that true friends see us for who we are, flaws and all, but still accept and support us unconditionally.

In conclusion, Seneca’s twenty-seventh letter is a powerful reminder of the importance of cultivating genuine friendships based on shared values and virtues. It reminds us that true friends are rare and that we should value and cherish them when we find them. The letter encourages us to be good friends ourselves, willing to help and support our friends even when it means sacrificing our own comfort or happiness. Ultimately, it is a call to live a virtuous life, one that is enriched by deep and meaningful connections with others.