Seneca Letters #20 – On Practicing what you Preach

Seneca’s Letters to Lucilius #20 is a letter that discusses the importance of living in the present moment, and the dangers of constantly worrying about the future. In this letter, Seneca advises Lucilius to focus on the present moment, rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.

Seneca opens the letter by stating that “Life is divided into three periods, past, present, and future.” He then goes on to explain that the past is no longer under our control, and the future is uncertain, so the only thing we can truly control is the present. He argues that we should focus on making the most of the present moment, rather than worrying about what may or may not happen in the future.

Seneca also warns against the danger of constantly worrying about the future. He writes, “We are always complaining that our days are few, and acting as though there would be no end of them.” He argues that by constantly worrying about the future, we are actually wasting the time we have in the present.

The most important quote from this letter is, “The present alone can make no man wretched.” This quote emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment, and not allowing worries about the future to cause us unnecessary stress and anxiety. By focusing on the present moment and making the most of the time we have, we can find happiness and contentment in our lives.

Overall, Seneca’s letter #20 is a reminder to live in the present moment and not to allow worries about the future to rob us of the joy and contentment that can be found in the present. By focusing on the present moment and making the most of the time we have, we can lead happier and more fulfilling lives.