Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics)

These letters of Roman philosopher Seneca are a treasure chest for anybody wishing to incorporate philosophic wisdom into their day-to-day living. By way of example, below are a few Seneca gems along with my brief comments:"Each day acquire something which will help you to face poverty, or death, and other ills as well. After running over a lot of different thoughts, pick out one to be digested throughout the day." --------- I'm completely with Seneca on this point. I approach the study of philosophy primarily for self-transformation. There is no let-up in the various challenges life throws at us - what we can change is the level of wisdom we bring to facing our challenges."It is not the man who has too little who is poor, but the one who hankers after more." ---------- This is the perennial philosophy from Aristotle to Epicurus to Epictetus to Buddha: we have to face up to our predicament as humans; we are in the realm of desire. The goal of living as a philosopher is to deal with our desires in such a way that we can maintain our tranquility and joy."But if you are looking on anyone as a friend when you do not trust him (or her) as you trust yourself, you are making a grave mistake, and have failed to grasp sufficiently the full force of true friendship." --------- Friendship was one key idea in the ancient world that modern philosophy seems to have forgotten. Seneca outlines how we must first test and judge people we consider as possible friends, but once we become friends with someone, then an abiding and complete trust is required."The very name of philosophy however modest the manner in which it is pursued, is unpopular enough as it is: imagine what the reaction would be if we started dissociating ourselves from the conventions of society. Inwardly everything should be different but our outward face should conform with the crowd. Our clothes should not be gaudy, yet they should now be dowdy either. . . . Let our aim be a way of life not diametrically opposed to, but better than that of the mob.". ---------- The call of true philosophy isn't an outward display but an internal attitude. There is a long, noble tradition of living the life of a philosopher going back to ancient Greece and Rome, that has, unfortunately, been mostly lost to us in the West. It is time to reclaim our true heritage."You may be banished to the end of the earth, and yet in whatever outlandish corner of the world you may find yourself stationed, you will find that place, whatever it may be like, a hospitable home. Where you arrive does not matter so much as what sort of person you are when you arrive there." -------- This is the ultimate Stoic worldview: our strength of character is more important that the particular life situation we find ourselves in. Very applicable in our modern world; although, chances are we will not be banished to another country, many of us will one day be banished to a nursing home."This rapidity of utterance recalls a person running down a slope and unable to stop where he meant to, being carried on instead a lot farther than he intended, at the mercy of his body's momentum; it is out of control, and unbecoming to philosophy, which should be placing her words, not throwing them around." --------- The ancient world had many people who talked a mile a minute, an unending gush of chatter. The Greco-Roman philosophers such as Seneca and Plutarch warn against garrulousness. Rather, we should mark our words well. From my own experience, when I hear long-winded pontifications, I feel like running away."The next thing I knew the book itself had charmed me into a deeper reading of it there and then. . . . It was so enjoyable that I found myself held and drawn on until I ended up having read it right through to the end without a break. All the time the sunshine was inviting me out, hunger prompting me to eat, the weather threatening to break, but I gulped it all down in one sitting." --------- Ah, the experience of being pulled into a good book! When we come upon such a book, go with it!

The brilliance of this gem of a work, is that its 2000 years old but the essential messages Seneca conveys to his friend on a great many topics through his letters is still as relevant today as then and we can still identify with them.After an excellent intro into the mans life with a compact explanation of the basis and foundations for the Stoic philosophy the book moves on whereby each successive chapter is basically in the form of a "letter" written by Seneca in response to an issue his protege Lucillius has raised. Each letter is basically two parts. Firstly an "analysis of the issue", secondly a discussion of the "remedy/s". An example of the variance of issues covered is listed as follows (being a mere third of the letters within the book):Letter II: The unsettled mindLetter III: The defining of friendship/need for...Letter V: On the need to avoid attracting -ve attention.Letter VI: The difference/benefit of "converse" and "discource" among peers.Letter VII/VIII: Avoiding the crowd.Letter: IX: The defining of contentednessLetter XI: On handling moments of weaknessLetter XII: Aging with dignityLetter XV: Balancing exercise of the mind with exercise of the body.Letter XVI: The value of philosophy if fate determines ones lot.Letter XVIII: Moderation vs IndulgenceLetter XXVI: Maintaining spirit/vigor in old age.And so on..The translation by Robin Campbell is excellent and so lucid it compliments rather than detracts from Senecas obvious wit and wisdom as is always a risk when converting Latin to English. Example of some of Seneca's wisdom are as follows:Letter CVII. This letter talks of the unfairness and inequity of life. Quote: "The fairness of a law does not consist in its effect being actually felt by all alike but in its having been laid down for all alike."Or Letter XII that talks of old age and the prospect of death. Quote: "...no one is so old that it would it would be quite unnatural for him to hope for one more day."Letter IX: A gem of an aspect Seneca raises in this letter is the idea of "the fairweather friend". That friend who frequently calls upon us for help and assistance and who we consider a close friend. Yet low and behold when our circumstances suffer an unexpected turn for the worse and we need them, they are nowhere to be found.Its a work full of thoughts/issues/ideas concerning everyday life that will eerily show the more things change the more they stay the same. All up such a quality read. You can go back to it time and time again and still find it refreshing and thought provoking. Its also oddly personal as you can be forgiven the way it lucidly flows for thinking Seneca is addressing us in person. All of which adds to its appeal and relevance.My only complaint: I want more. Its that good.

I bought this is physical form after buying it for my Kindle, I loved it so much and wanted the physical pleasure of holding the book in my hands and communing with the writer in the traditional way. I am not sorry to own both versions as I can dip into Seneca's always inspiring wisdom no matter where I am.I've always described myself as a stoic and always meant to widen my reading of the ancient Greeks and Romans. I decided to start the expansion with Seneca. I've been reading and re-reading a letter every few days. Each one is a jewel of advice, wisdom and compassion.His letters were written to a young friend on virtually every topic imaginable. The advice is always cogent and true and never trite or condescending. Even though the Romans lived a much harsher life and people matured earlier, I think that one would have to be in middle age to fully appreciate Seneca's wisdom, however, this doesn't mean that the young shouldn't read Seneca - they should just make certain that they re-read him. One of the glories of a reading life is that great and even good books, change as we do. This is especially true of the writings of Seneca.His wise council applies even to our fragmented, contemporary life. His essay on not wasting time, even when manically moving about is especially appropos. He points out that death is not before us, but behind us as everyday that we have lived already belongs to death - simultaneously sobering, hopeful and true - like all of these essays.Next I want to ferret out his tragedies as I understand that they were a source of inspiration for the great Elizabethan and Jacobean tragedians and I am certain they contain Seneca's wry wisdom. Highly recommended to those seeking to live life to the fullest.