About the book
The letters gathered here come from Seneca's Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium and read as essays in disguise by a philosopher of the Silver Age of Roman literature. Stoicism, first formed by the Athenian followers of Zeno, treated self-possession as the way to live in accordance with nature, and Seneca recast it as a statement of the individual mind's dignity. The letters praise virtuous living and condemn the cruel treatment of slaves and the killing in Roman arenas. Robin Campbell translated the Penguin Classics edition from Latin, and his introduction examines the tension between Seneca's philosophy and his career as adviser to the emperor Nero.
Ryan Holiday ranks it among his favorite books, noting that Seneca, as Nero's tutor, made advising others his job, and that his counsel on grief, wealth and power stays useful. DULO co-founder Marin Gerov calls it a guide for keeping perspective and handling hardship.
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This book has 2 recommendations
Ryan Holiday (Founder/Brass Check)
After Marcus Aurelius, this is one of my favorite books. While Marcus wrote mainly for himself, Seneca had no trouble advising and aiding others. In fact, that was his job—he was Nero’s tutor, tasked with reducing the terrible impulses of a terrible man. His advice on grief, on wealth, on power, on religion, and on life are always there when you need them.
Marin Gerov (Co-Founder/DULO)
I have read and learned a lot from Stoicism and in particular, Seneca's Letters from a stoic. It is an incredible guide, an operating system for the mind (as Tim Ferriss says) to put things in perspective, how to deal with hardship, and to generally operate in life.
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