Seneca Letters #40 – On the Proper Style for a Philosopher’s Discourse

Seneca’s 40th letter is titled “On the Proper Style for a Philosopher’s Discourse,” and it deals with the importance of being prepared for life’s inevitable challenges. The letter is addressed to Lucilius, Seneca’s close friend and student, and it was written during a time of political unrest in Rome.

In the letter, Seneca uses the analogy of a ship setting sail to emphasize the importance of being ready for whatever comes our way. He writes, “No wind is of service to him who has no destined port.” This means that even if we have favorable circumstances, we won’t achieve anything without clear goals and a sense of direction.

Seneca urges Lucilius to be proactive and to “slip the cable” at the right time, which means to set out on a journey or tackle a challenge at the appropriate moment. He warns that if we delay too long, we risk missing opportunities or being caught off guard by unexpected difficulties.

One of the most important quotes from the letter is: “The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today…You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours.” Seneca is reminding us that we can’t control everything that happens in life, but we can control how we respond to it. He cautions against becoming too fixated on the future, to the point where we neglect the present moment.

Seneca emphasizes the importance of living in the present and being mindful of what we can do today to prepare for the future. He writes, “You will hear many men saying: ‘After my fiftieth year I shall retire into leisure, my sixtieth year shall release me from public duties.’ And what guarantee, pray, have you that your life will last longer?” Seneca is reminding us that we can’t take our time on Earth for granted, and we should make the most of every moment.

Overall, Seneca’s 40th letter serves as a powerful reminder that life is short and unpredictable. We can’t control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we respond. By being proactive and living in the present, we can prepare ourselves for whatever challenges lie ahead. As Seneca writes, “There is no more profitable occupation than the contemplation of the universe about us and the proper regulation of our conduct according to the laws which Nature has prescribed for us.”