In Letter 59, “On Pleasure and Joy,” sees Seneca reflecting on the nuances of pleasure and joy from a Stoic perspective. He distinguishes between these often conflated feelings, defining them through the lens of Stoic philosophy while engaging with everyday interpretations. This letter delves into the ethical implications of pleasure and the deeper, more enduring state of joy that Seneca argues is accessible only to the wise.
Seneca opens with a personal note, explaining his use of “pleasure” in a conventional sense, despite its typical Stoic interpretation as a vice: “I received great pleasure from your letter; kindly allow me to use these words in their everyday meaning, without insisting upon their Stoic import. For we Stoics hold that pleasure is a vice.” He distinguishes between fleeting pleasures and the profound, stable state of joy that stems from a deep-seated confidence in one’s moral and intellectual life: “For ‘joy’ is an elation of spirit, of a spirit which trusts in the goodness and truth of its own possessions.“
"It is a characteristic of real joy that it never ceases, and never changes into its opposite."
Seneca critiques common misapplications of the term “joy,” noting that true joy, unlike pleasure, is consistent and does not degenerate into its opposite: “No, it is a characteristic of real joy that it never ceases, and never changes into its opposite.” He emphasizes that the wise man, unlike those who are unwise, remains undisturbed by external circumstances, drawing on the metaphor of an army ready for battle to illustrate the preparedness and resilience of the wise. Further, Seneca explores why folly is so pervasive and hard to combat, attributing it to a lack of vigorous opposition to it and an inadequate engagement with wisdom. “It is, primarily, because we do not combat it strongly enough, because we do not struggle towards salvation with all our might.“
He criticizes those who easily accept flattery and see themselves through the exaggerated praises of others, which prevents genuine self-reflection and personal improvement: “We are too readily satisfied with ourselves; if we meet with someone who calls us good men, or sensible men, or holy men, we see ourselves in his description, not content with praise in moderation, we accept everything that shameless flattery heaps upon us, as if it were our due.” Towards the end, Seneca reiterates that true joy stems from virtuous living and aligns with the divine, contrasting it sharply with the transient and often deceptive pleasures pursued by most. “That the effect of wisdom is a joy that is unbroken and continuous.“
"The effect of wisdom is a joy that is unbroken and continuous."
Seneca thoughtfully articulates the Stoic understanding of pleasure and joy, urging a life directed by virtue and wisdom rather than the pursuit of fleeting pleasures. He emphasizes the importance of inner peace and moral integrity, which are prerequisite for the true joy that he describes as comparable to the divine. Through this discourse, Seneca offers a compelling vision of the serene and fulfilled life that Stoicism aims to cultivate.
***** Letters from a Stoic Key Takeaways is a collection of short key takeaways from the letters sent by Seneca to Lucilius. Read each letter’s key takeways here .
