In Letter 74, titled "On Virtue as a Refuge from Worldly Distractions," Seneca discusses the concept that true happiness and the ultimate good lie in virtue alone. He explains how this belief provides a refuge from the distractions and tribulations of worldly life. Seneca begins by affirming Lucilius’s understanding that virtue is the sole good: "Your letter has given me pleasure, and has roused me from sluggishness. It…
In Letter 71, titled "On the Supreme Good," Seneca discusses the nature of the Supreme Good and the importance of aligning one's life with this ultimate goal. He begins by acknowledging the difficulties of providing timely advice across long distances but emphasizes the necessity of grounding decisions in the overarching purpose of life. Seneca explains the importance of having a clear aim in life: "The artist…
In Letter 66, "On Various Aspects of Virtue", Seneca explores the nature of virtue and its manifestations. It begins with a reflection on his reunion with a former schoolmate, Claranus, who, despite his physical frailties, demonstrates a robust and admirable spirit. Seneca uses this meeting to delve into deeper philosophical discussions about the essence and equality of virtues. Seneca emphasizes that true virtue does not require…
In my previous post 5 Main Differences between Values and Virtues, I wrote that values are the things that important to us while virtues are the inner qualities that help us achieve those values. I also said in the last part that it’s important to write our core values and virtues and in this article, I am going to share exactly how I write my own personal values…
People often use the terms values and virtues interchangeably and that is why sometimes it can be hard to determine the differences between the two. However, there are subtle differences between these terms which I will try to explain in this post as simple as possible. 1. Values - What is important to you? Virtues – What are your inner qualities? Values refer to…
