Seneca Letters #63 – On Grief for Lost Friends

In Letter #63, Seneca writes to Lucilius about the importance of setting aside time for philosophy in the midst of a busy life. He urges Lucilius not to let his many responsibilities prevent him from making time for what truly matters: cultivating wisdom.

Seneca reminds Lucilius that time is a precious commodity and that we should use it wisely. He writes, “We are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it.”

Seneca acknowledges that many people are so busy with their daily responsibilities that they feel they have no time for philosophical pursuits. He writes, “Some people who are up to their ears in business and burdened beyond their strength by their wealth do not think they have any leisure for philosophy.”

However, Seneca argues that this is precisely the reason why philosophy is so important. When we are caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life, it can be easy to lose sight of what really matters. Philosophy can help us to step back from our daily concerns and focus on the bigger picture.

Seneca suggests that we should carve out a specific time for philosophical study and contemplation, just as we do for other important activities in our lives. He writes, “If you apply yourself to study in a proper way, you will have no time for anything that is useless.”

Seneca also emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and self-awareness. He suggests that we should be conscious of the time we spend on various activities and strive to make the most of every moment. He writes, “It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it. Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested.”

Overall, Seneca’s message in this letter is clear: no matter how busy we are, we must make time for what truly matters. Philosophy is not a luxury reserved for the idle; it is a vital pursuit that can help us to lead more meaningful lives. By setting aside time for study and contemplation, we can cultivate wisdom and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

The most important quote from this letter is, “We are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it.” This quote captures the essence of Seneca’s message: that time is a precious resource and that we must use it wisely. We have been given a certain amount of time on this earth, and it is up to us to make the most of it. If we waste our time on frivolous pursuits, we will have nothing to show for it in the end. But if we use our time wisely, we can achieve great things and live a life of purpose and meaning.