Seneca's Letters from a Stoic

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Richard Mott Gummere

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9780486811246
• eBook ISBN: 9780486817866
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Ancient & Classical Literary Collections

As chief advisor to the emperor Nero, Lucius Annaeus Seneca was most influential in ancient Rome as a power behind the throne. His lasting fame derives from his writings on Stoic ideology, in which philosophy is a practical form of self-improvement rather than a matter of argument or wordplay. Seneca's letters to a young friend advise action rather than reflection, addressing the issues that confront every generation: how to achieve a good life; how to avoid corruption and self-indulgence; and how to live without fear of death.
Written in an intimate, conversational style, the letters reflect the traditional Stoic focus on living in accordance with nature and accepting the world on its own terms. The philosopher emphasizes the Roman values of courage, self-control, and rationality, yet he remains remarkably modern in his tolerant and cosmopolitan attitude. Rich in epigrammatic wit, Seneca's interpretation of Stoicism constitutes a timeless and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• I. On Saving Time
• II. On Discursiveness in Reading
• III. On True and False Friendship
• IV. On the Terrors of Death
• V. On the Philosopher’s Mean
• VI. On Sharing Knowledge
• VII. On Crowds
• VIII. On the Philosopher’s Seclusion
• IX. On Philosophy and Friendship
• X. On Living to Oneself
• XI. On the Blush of Modesty
• XII. On Old Age
• XIII. On Groundless Fears
• XIV. On the Reasons for Withdrawing from the World
• XV. On Brawn and Brains
• XVI. On Philosophy, the Guide of Life
• XVII. On Philosophy and Riches
• XVIII. On Festivals and Fasting
• XIX. On Worldliness and Retirement
• XX. On Practising what you Preach
• XXI. On the Renown which my Writings will Bring you
• XXII. On the Futility of Half-Way Measures
• XXIII. On the True Joy which Comes from Philosophy
• XXV. On Reformation
• XXVI. On Old Age and Death
• XXVII. On the Good which Abides
• XXVIII. On Travel as a Cure for Discontent
• XXIX. On the Critical Condition of Marcellinus
• XXX. On Conquering the Conqueror
• XXXI. On Siren Songs
• XXXII. On Progress
• XXXIII. On the Futility of Learning Maxims
• XXXIV. On a Promising Pupil
• XXXV. On the Friendship of Kindred Minds
• XXXVI. On the Value of Retirement
• XXXVII. On Allegiance to Virtue
• XXXVIII. On Quiet Conversation
• XXXIX. On Noble Aspirations
• XL. On the Proper Style for a Philosopher’s Discourse
• XLI. On the God within Us
• XLII. On Values
• XLIII. On the Relativity of Fame
• XLIV. On Philosophy and Pedigrees
• XLV. On Sophistical Argumentation
• XLVI. On a New Book by Lucilius
• XLVII. On Master and Slave
• XLVIII. On Quibbling as Unworthy of the Philosopher
• XLIX. On the Shortness of Life
• L. On our Blindness and its Cure
• LI. On Baiae and Morals
• LII. On Choosing our Teachers
• LIII. On the Faults of the Spirit
• LIV. On Asthma and Death
• LV. On Vatia’s Villa
• LVI. On Quiet and Study
• LVII. On the Trials of Travel
• LVIII. On Being
• LIX. On Pleasure and Joy
• LX. On Harmful Prayers
• LXI. On Meeting Death Cheerfully
• LXII. On Good Company
• LXIII. On Grief for Lost Friends
• LXIV. On the Philosopher’s Task
• LXV. On the First Cause
• LXVI. On Various Aspects of Virtue
• LXVII. On Ill-Health and Endurance of Suffering
• LXVIII. On Wisdom and Retirement
• LXIX. On Rest and Restlessness
• LXX. On the Proper Time to Slip the Cable
• LXXI. On the Supreme Good
• LXXII. On Business as the Enemy of Philosophy
• LXXIII. On Philosophers and Kings
• LXXIV. On Virtue as a Refuge from Worldly Distractions
• LXXV. On the Diseases of the Soul
• LXXVI. On Learning Wisdom in Old Age
• LXXVII. On Taking One’s Own Life
• LXXVIII. On the Healing Power of the Mind
• LXXIX. On the Rewards of Scientific Discovery
• LXXX. On Worldly Deceptions
• LXXXI. On Benefits
• LXXXII. On the Natural Fear of Death
• LXXXIII. On Drunkenness
• LXXXIV. On Gathering Ideas
• LXXXV. On Some Vain Syllogisms
• LXXXVI. On Scipio’s Villa
• LXXXVII. Some Arguments in Favour of the Simple Life
• LXXXVIII. On Liberal and Vocational Studies
• LXXXIX. On the Parts of Philosophy
• XC. On the Part Played by Philosophy in the Progress of Man
• XCI. On the Lesson to be Drawn from the Burning of Lyons
• XCII. On the Happy Life
• XCIII. On the Quality, as Contrasted with the Length, of Life
• XCIV. On the Value of Advice
• XCV. On the Usefulness of Basic Principles
• XCVI. On Facing Hardships
• XCVII. On the Degeneracy of the Age
• XCVIII. On the Fickleness of Fortune
• XCIX. On Consolation to the Bereaved
• C. On the Writings of Fabianus
• CI. On the Futility of Planning Ahead
• CII. On the Intimations of Our Immortality
• CIII. On the Dangers of Association with Our Fellow-Men
• CIV. On Care of Health and Peace of Mind
• CV. On Facing the World with Confidence
• CVI. On the Corporeality of Virtue
• CVII. On Obedience to the Universal Will
• CIX. On the Fellowship of Wise Men
• CX. On True and False Riches
• CXI. On the Vanity of Mental Gymnastics
• CXII. On Reforming Hardened Sinners
• CXIII. On the Vitality of the Soul and Its Attributes
• CXIV. On Style as a Mirror of Character
• CXV. On the Superficial Blessings
• CXVI. On Self-Control
• CXVII. On Real Ethics as Superior to Syllogistic Subtleties
• CXVIII. On the Vanity of Place-Seeking
• CXIX. On Nature as our Best Provider
• CXX. More About Virtue
• CXXI. On Instinct in Animals
• CXXII. On Darkness as a Veil for Wickedness
• CXXIII. On the Conflict between Pleasure and Virtue
• CXXIV. On the True Good as Attained by Reason