Category: Letters From A Stoic by Seneca

Required Reading: Letter 32: On Progress

“Would you know what makes men greedy for the future? It is because no one has yet found himself.”

This one is golden! Make haste—put your life in order fast! Then enjoy the rest of your days retiring early from the hustle of working life. Seneca admonishes Lucilius that it is imperative to live his life as if “an enemy were at your back…” for it is indeed true that “the enemy is indeed pressing upon you.”

Life and all of its responsibilities—Fortune and all of its Givings are indeed the enemy pressing upon our backs and if we are wise, we would ‘therefore increase our speed and escape away and reach a safe position…’ Continue reading “Discourse 32: Regarding On Progress”

Required Reading: Letter 31: On Siren Songs

“Work is not a good. Then what is a good? I say, the scorning of work. That is why I should rebuke men who toil to no purpose.“

Of all the letters I have read so far, none is more touching of spirit; none has brought me so much emotion, tears, excitement, as this one! It is deeply spiritual! And touches the very depth of my soul!

If I must re-read any letter, it must be this one! For I am moved to strike pen to pad; going through the very state of mind of endless toil as it relates to work in “Caesar’s world”, truly contemplating walking away! For work has not being purposeful thus far and this sort of craziness must stop! Continue reading “Discourse 31: Regarding On Siren Songs”

 

Required Reading: Letter 30: On Conquering The Conqueror

“Philosophy bestows this boon upon us; it makes us joyful in the very sight of death.“

Wow! For all the letters I’ve written thus far, I casually touched on death! Really, who wants to talk about that?! Well, I need to; for it is certain for all of us.  There is no one exempt from it; rich and poor; baby and old; say their names; it’d be foretold! Even the great one – the one the Christians adore experienced it. 

So, I shall begin this essay by relating my experience to it. My prayer is that it visits me not so soon; but, if it choses to, I am preparing myself like Bassus to embrace it.  My ask is that it plays not a trick and sweep my feet from under me; or shoot me in the back; but, face me squarely so that I may have a good look at it! For many has given death such a morbid description; a sinister character of evil intent. Continue reading “Discourse 30: Regarding On Conquering The Conqueror”

Required Reading: Letter 29: On The Critical condition Of Marcellinus

“He seldom comes to see me, for no other reason than that he is afraid to hear the truth…for one must not talk to a man unless he is willing to listen.”

Do you know a Marcellinus? It is certainly possible that as you journey on towards wisdom you will meet him. Perhaps he is a family member, a friend, an associate who you try to convert over to philosophy; I am certain that you are one of those in the class of giving advice when it is not asked — really you can’t help it; understood.

Yet, it goes without saying that many times you are left hurt, discouraged; that those you deary love aren’t treating your advice with gratitude. You have a Marcellinus in your clan; one who is bold enough to sometimes question you every thought; your way of life; one so gifted with wit and charm that he or she seems to be succeeding in the ways of the world; while you seemingly live in voluntary humility — two some degree an undesired lifestyle according to the populace. Continue reading “Discourse 29: Regarding On The Critical Condition Of Marcellinus”

Required Reading: Letter 28: On Travel As A Cure For Discontent

“You must lay aside the burdens of the mind; until you do, this no place will satisfy you.”

I remember a saying from pastor Randy Morrison; heard it from him first at least; but it turns out to be a fascinating book by Jon Kabat-Zinn of the same phrase “Wherever You Go, There You Are”. It matters not if one moves from a slum to a mansion; I’ll tweak the phrase, ‘Wherever They Are, There They Are’. For it is not the body that is enjoying such new surroundings; rather, it is the mind; the soul which must interpret such pleasures and for many it’s unpleasurable; for the faults of the past haunts them!

We must make it our solemn duty to cure the mind so that the whole being is in perpetual joy! There is no contentment in moving from place to place thinking that where one finds himself is hard to survive. Rather, one may find as Seneca states “…although that which you seek—to live well—is found everywhere.” Nonetheless, he cautions as we know, there are times and places that are injurious to many and one is not forced to live in such places or during such times—war causes even a peaceful soul to become restless; hence, it is of utmost benefit to leave such a place in time of trouble! Continue reading “Discourse 28: Regarding On Travel As A Cure For Discontent”

Required Reading: Letter 27: On The Good Which Abides

“Of this one thing make sure against your dying day—let your faults die before you die.”

In Seneca’s 26th letter to Lucilius, he starts off by trying to convince him that it is okay for wiseman; a man pursuing philosophy, to admonish another; a friend; for if and when he does, it is as if the former is admonishing himself; using the latter as a sounding board; a mirror to correct his or her own faults. 

This is not a bad thing considering that a philosopher choses his friends wisely; he or she doesn’t have too many friends—acquaintances he made tolerate; but friends, are few. Hence, he watches himself closely; paying utmost attention to his mind; his thoughts his soul; for he knows that ultimate Good abides in it. He is in perpetual pursuit of “everlasting and peace-giving joy”; knowing that when he finds it, all other things are superfluous. Continue reading “Discourse 27: Regarding On The Good Which Abides”

Required Reading: Letter 26: On Old Age And Death

“You are younger; but what does it matter? There is no fixed count of your years. You do not know where death awaits you; so be ready for it everywhere.”

Seneca instructs Lucilius to always be thinking of death; not in a sad or morbid way; but to understand that it can happen suddenly or further away. When it comes, no one knows; yet, when it does, one should not be shocked or caught unaware. 

Very many of us have not even considered that “life is ending daily”; we have no plan for our final exit; somehow our spirit; our innermost being convinces us that we are immortal; true that is; but mortal here on earth; which is the case at hand. Continue reading “Discourse 26: Regarding On Old Age And Death”

Required Reading: Letter 25: On Reformation

“I should prefer to lack success rather than lack faith.”

That is a sure motto to adopt in everything purposeful you do! It is okay to fail at a thing than to not attempt a thing at all. Now, to center on our aim for the day, Seneca addresses Lucilius regarding his two friends; one of which is older perhaps in his forty’s and the other reasonably younger.

Lucilius believes that time and or wisdom is better spent on the younger for his mind is more malleable; pliable; open to ideas versus the veteran who might be set in his ways. Well, aren’t we all? Isn’t is easier to just treat the healthy man and forget the diseased individual?

If we take such a stance; that our services are made only for the “right customer”; the right patient; the right listeners; would we have need for hospitals, for institutions of higher learnings; for places of worship? Do “Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise” people need such services? Is it not for the “sick” we teach, heal, help, serve; sacrifice sometimes to our own disadvantage; yet we must continue to press on? Continue reading “Discourse 25: Regarding On Reformation”

Required Reading: Letter 24: On Despising Death

“Not single is the death which comes; the death which takes us off is but the last of all.”

What is the worst that could happen? One may find himself facing death or imprisonment. Is there any other that a man or woman; a human being fears which could be exacted from another? With death, it could be a quick exit; with imprisonment—a solitary time of deep frustration; a taken away forcibly or unwarrantedly one’s freedom; and that in itself, could be worse than death for some people.

But what is all this talk about death? Why is it a topic of discussion? Well, it is certainly a part of life; and it must be seen as such, as we continue on our peaceful journey. As the writer states “Presume if something is to happen will happen” that way you are not unnerved by sudden erruptions in personal or social interactions; the world is set up as such; in every point in history, there has been scores of people who have come and gone by means of their own, or others; or by nature. Continue reading “Discourse 24: Regarding On Despising Death”

Required Reading: Letter 23: On The True Joy Which Comes From Philosophy.

“Above all, my dear Lucilius, make this your business: learn how to feel joy.”

Is this possible to the many who go on day by day as we get berated by life? Can you feel joy when the body ills in pain; when the bills are piling up; when the mortgage is in pending foreclosure; when the car is grounded and the bank account is negative? Can you feel joy?

Oh! Yes you can! It’s when as the teacher states, you can “Despise death with a care-free-countenance; or can open your door to poverty, or hold the curb on your pleasures or contemplate the endurance of pain. He who ponders these things in his heart is indeed full of joy; but it is not a cheerful joy.”

Yet, it is the joy we on this journey of philosophy must endure regardless of the current and future state of affairs. For a man or woman of this nature is on certain footing; he although tripping sometimes, will always find his or her balance. And what is this all for? What is the benefit? Continue reading “Discourse 23: Regarding On The True Joy Which Comes From Philosophy”