Category: Letters From A Stoic by Seneca

Required Reading: Letter 2: On Discursiveness In Reading

“The primary indication, to my thinking, of a well-ordered mind is a man’s ability to remain in one place and linger in his own company.”

Seneca’s second letter to Lucilius is one so full of lessons that every sentence, every paragraph is worth written in BOLD! One cannot even begin to analyze his opening statements as well as that which closes; he advocates dearly for staying in one place; that is, remaining with one author until you have digested thoroughly the wisdom he or she is trying to convey.

Many are guilty (once an addict) of buying lots of books without really reading them; truly, who has time for such activities? Who has time to even read one author; one matter of thought thoroughly; and then compound that with hundreds of other books and authors? With that behavior, the wisdom is lost; so, he cautions “You must linger among a limited number of master thinkers; and digest their work, if you would derive ideas which shall win firm hold in your mind.” Continue reading “Discourse 2: Regarding On Discursiveness In Reading”

Required Reading: Letter 1: On Saving Time

In Seneca’s first letter to Lucilius, he cautions the slightly younger about the importance of saving his time. He states, “Time is the one loan which a grateful recipient cannot repay.” And how so true is that statement! Every second, minute, hour, day, month, year, is given to us freely by nature; yet, we cannot reciprocate even if we wanted to.

There is no way under heaven, that a man, woman, child, or thing, can ever reverse the means of this phenomenon and return the favor; we stand as only; and always the recipients. Hence, it is to this end that Seneca speaks unreservedly to Lucilius; starting off his series of letters on the significance of Time! Continue reading “Discourse 1: Regarding On Saving Time”