Seneca Letters #115 – On the Superficial Blessings

In his letter #115, “On the Superficial Blessings,” Seneca reflects on the importance of distinguishing between true and false blessings. He argues that many people mistake external goods, such as wealth and power, for blessings when in reality, they are superficial and fleeting. True blessings, according to Seneca, come from within and are related to our inner character and virtue.

Seneca begins by observing how many people, especially those in positions of power and wealth, become arrogant and haughty, thinking that their external blessings will last forever. He warns that this is a dangerous mindset as these superficial blessings are inherently unstable and can disappear at any moment. He states, “Those who think that wealth is the highest good and pay no heed to virtue are like those who imagine that a straight and easy path leads to the stars.”

Seneca then emphasizes that true blessings are those that cannot be taken away by external circumstances. He says, “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested. But when it is wasted in heedless luxury and spent on no good activity, we are forced at last by death’s final constraint to realize that it has passed away before we knew it was passing.”

He goes on to argue that it is our inner character and virtue that provide us with true blessings. These include things such as wisdom, self-control, and courage. In contrast, external goods such as wealth and power are ultimately superficial and can distract us from our true purpose in life.

Seneca’s letter serves as a reminder to focus on cultivating our inner character and virtue rather than pursuing external goods. While external blessings may bring temporary happiness, they are ultimately fleeting and can be taken away at any moment. True blessings, on the other hand, come from within and can provide us with a sense of fulfillment and purpose that lasts a lifetime.

The most important quote from letter #115 is: “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested. But when it is wasted in heedless luxury and spent on no good activity, we are forced at last by death’s final constraint to realize that it has passed away before we knew it was passing.” This quote highlights the importance of using our time wisely and investing it in activities that bring us true fulfillment and purpose rather than wasting it on superficial pursuits. It serves as a powerful reminder to focus on cultivating our inner character and virtues rather than pursuing external goods that are ultimately fleeting.