Seneca Letters #35 – On the Friendship of Kindred Minds

Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic, also known as the Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium, is a series of letters written by the Stoic philosopher Seneca to his friend Lucilius. These letters cover various philosophical topics and offer practical advice on how to live a good life. In this blog post, we will discuss Letter #35 and its significance.

Letter #35 is titled “On the Friendship of Kindred Minds,” and it is one of the shortest letters in the collection. In this letter, Seneca discusses the importance of true friendship and its role in living a meaningful life. He argues that true friends should be united by a common purpose and should share the same values and beliefs. According to Seneca, true friends should also be able to understand and tolerate each other’s faults and imperfections.

Seneca’s emphasis on the importance of true friendship is evident in the following quote from the letter: “A friend is one who knows all about you and still loves you.” This quote highlights the idea that true friendship is based on mutual understanding and acceptance. True friends do not judge or criticize each other for their faults but instead, they accept and support each other unconditionally.

Seneca also emphasizes the importance of having few but true friends, rather than many acquaintances. He argues that having a few true friends is more valuable than having many superficial relationships. In his words, “It is better to have one friend of great value than many friends who are good for nothing.”

Moreover, Seneca also highlights the idea that true friendship is not just about sharing good times, but it is also about being there for each other during tough times. He writes, “Friends rejoice in prosperity, and are steadfast in adversity.” This quote emphasizes the idea that true friends should be there for each other during both good and bad times. They should offer support and encouragement to each other, even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, Seneca’s Letter #35 offers valuable insights into the nature of true friendship and its importance in living a meaningful life. The quote, “A friend is one who knows all about you and still loves you,” highlights the idea that true friendship is based on mutual understanding and acceptance. Furthermore, Seneca’s emphasis on the importance of having few but true friends, and the idea that true friendship is not just about sharing good times but also about being there for each other during tough times, makes this letter an essential read for anyone interested in the philosophy of friendship.