In letters from a stoic 26, Seneca talked about the frailty of his body. When he wrote the letters to Lucilius, he already retired from public office and devoted his life to inspiring younger generations through his writings. Though his body has tremendously declined, Seneca said he still has a very sharp mind. In letters 15, Seneca stressed how important it is to prioritize the mind over the…
In letters from Stoic 25, Seneca is talking to Lucilius about some mistakes their two friends committed, one in his forties and the other one relatively younger. He pointed out that it’s a lot harder to change older people because of the hardcoded habits they acquired for a very long time. However, Seneca said there is still a chance for older people to change as long as they show remorse…
In letters from a stoic 24, Seneca responds to a letter by Lucilius about an impending lawsuit against him. He asked him not to panic the case has not been decided after all. “It is indeed foolish to be unhappy now because you may be unhappy at some future time.” Then, he told him an unusual way of dealing with anxiety which is to assume that whatever he fears is…
In letters from stoic 23, Seneca talks about true joy. First, true joy is constant - meaning it should be accessed under all circumstances. It letters 5, the wise old man discourage Lucilius from clinging to any kind of hope. Hope is not true joy, Seneca said. While it may lift our spirit, it’s only momentarily and will only wind us down in the long run for the eventual…
Virtues and vices are within ourselves and our control. The virtues are the only good for the Stoics while vices as the only bad. Everything outside our control is neither good nor bad. These can include death, health, sickness, weather, reputation, and wealth. The Stoics classified indifference as preferred and unfavored. What the modern age defines as good such as wealth, power and fame are what the Stoics called preferred…