Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics) | Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics) | Lucius Annaeus Seneca | Simply a masterpiece.

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	Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics) Lucius Annaeus Seneca Penguin Books, 1969 - 254 pages average customer review:based on 27 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A philosophy that saw self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', Stoicism called for the restraint of animal instincts and the severing of emotional ties. These beliefs were formulated by the Athenian followers of Zeno in the fourth century BC, but it was in Seneca (c. 4 BC - AD 65) that the Stoics found their most eloquent advocate. Stoicism, as expressed in the Letters, helped ease pagan Rome's transition to Christianity, for it upholds upright ethical ideals and extols virtuous living, as well as expressing disgust for the harsh treatment of slaves and the inhumane slaughters witnessed in the Roman arenas. Seneca's major contribution to a seemingly unsympathetic creed was to transform it into a powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.

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First time Stoic

This was the first book I have read on Stoicism based off of the recommendation of two bloggers, Tim Ferriss and Ryan Holiday.

I have just sat here for ten minutes trying to think of a way I can explain how much I loved this book. I think that actually explains it better than any description I could give. So I will just recommend that you do a little research on stoicism and if you think you are interested in reading further, buy this book.

Simply a masterpiece.

Reading this book is like spotting a light on the shore while sailing at night.

It is an amazing series of letters that will surprise you with the clarity of thoughts and the relevance to our days.

Most readers might not be interested in approaching a great philosopher who lived 2,000 years ago but the simplicity, depth and sharpness of his words will be a nice surprise letter by letter.

To say that this book is highly recommended is not enough. It is a masterpiece!

I have already read it three times and every time is a new dive into Seneca's world.

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You are your own stumbling block

Seneca was born around 4 BC and died in 65 AD. It is said he was one of the most remarkable people of his time: he deserves a place in the history books not just for his philosophical writings but for acting as primary advisor to the emperor Nero, for his skill and success as a playwright, and for his financial acumen--acting in his day as the equivalent of an investment banker. The Letters were written by Seneca around AD 62 to his friend Lucilius and are best described as exercises in practical philosophy. Seneca believed that the primary reason for philosophy is so we can live better lives:

"A person who goes to a philosopher should carry away with him something or other of value every day; he should return home a sounder man or at least more capable of becoming one."

In a beautiful letter Seneca provides this wonderful wisdom on why we should study philosophy;

"It moulds and constructs the soul; it orders our life, guides our conduct, shows us what we should do and what we should leave undone; it sits at the helm and directs our course as we waver amid uncertainties. Without it, no one can live fearlessly or in peace of mind. Countless things that happen every hour call for advice; and such advice is to be sought in philosophy."

That is a wonderful thought and has to be one of the best reasons for studying Philosophy and Seneca is one of the best to study. His intellectual engagement was shaped by a wide range of substantial philosophical interests and concerns with Platonism, Aristotelianism, and even with Epicureanism but it is his Stoic Philosophy that shapes much of his wisdom. Listen to the proper goal of Stoic philosophy according to Seneca;

"Philosophy . . . takes as her aim the state of happiness." And "What we [Stoics] are seeking . . . is how the mind may always pursue a steady and favourable course, may be well-disposed towards itself, and may view its conditions with joy, and suffer no interruption of this joy, but may abide in a peaceful state, being never uplifted nor ever cast down."

A life of inner peace and joy - what a wonderful goal. As discussed in the Wisdom Note on The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius the Stoics are not out to banish the emotions; they are out to reduce, to the extent possible, negative emotions, such as feelings of anger or grief that will disrupt our tranquillity. They value positive emotions, with feelings of joy being at the top of their list.

Seneca speaks on many topics from friendship to thoughts, the universe and fate, on issues of the passions, the structure of the soul, the nature of the `will' and the `self'. He reminds us that;

"Your greatest difficulty is with yourself; you are your own stumbling-block."

In his Letters we discover how to remove that stumbling block with the wisdom of this remarkable man.

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Practical Knowledge

I have found many of Seneca's letters to be useful in my life. I have no problem recommending this book to others.

Need to read it more than once

Certainly a book that will make you think, however it is probably not just for the casual read. To get the most from this book you need to set aside the time to fully digest exactly what it is saying. It is certainly easy to read and with each chapter representing a separate letter and topic following along is easy.

Like most book of this genre, it is something that will have to read more than once to get the full benefit from. This won't be a real concern since the book is truly timeless.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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