Summary and key points from the writings of the ancient Stoics (Letters from a Stoic, Meditations, Discourses of Epictetus, and many more)
In letters from a stoic 34, Seneca takes pleasure in the continual improvement of his dear friend, Lucilius. He has guided the younger man in his quest to becoming a better version of himself giving him advice on the ways of life. The wise old man highlighted will as the most important component of any self-improvement process. “It is that the larger part of good-ness is…
In letters from a stoic 33, Seneca talks about studying maxims. Maxims are short statements to describe truth or general conduct. As we all know the wise old man likes to end his letters with a maxim mostly from Epicurus. Seneca said that a maxim should not be taken only for itself. A maxim speaks a general truth and anyone who wants to adopt a maxim should understand the bigger…
In letters from a stoic 32, Seneca talks about avoiding the crowd which he also talked about in letter 7. He has been warning Lucilius about associating with people whose goals and ideals are different than his. “This is sound practice—to refrain from associating with men of different stamp and different aims. “ He said that these people may hinder his progress towards self-…
In letters from a stoic 31, Seneca talks about what is absolute good and bad. He talks about what people normally people see as “good” such as fame and money is not absolute good. The wise old man describes good as something that is not external, true under all circumstances, and cannot be taken away. Fame, money, and power are what the Stoics…
In letters from a stoic 30, Seneca talks about their friend Bassus who is extremely ill and about to draw his last breath. Despite being extremely weak, the man’s mind is still very active. Seneca has attributed this to philosophy. “Philosophy bestows this boon upon us; it makes us joyful in the very sight of death, strong and brave no matter in what state the body may be, cheerful…