Dialogues and Letters (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Seneca (Author), C. D. N. Costa (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: November 1, 1997

A major writer and a leading figure in the public life of Rome, Seneca (c. 4BC AD 65) ranks among the most eloquent and influential masters of Latin prose. This selection explores his thoughts on philosophy and the trials of life. In the Consolation to Helvia he strives to offer solace to his mother, following his exile in AD 41, while On the Shortness of Life and On Tranquillity of Mind are lucid and compelling explorations of Stoic thought. Witty and self-critical, the Letters written to his young friend Lucilius explore Seneca's struggle to acquire philosophical wisdom. A fascinating insight into one of the greatest minds of Ancient Rome, these works inspired writers and thinkers including Montaigne, Rousseau, and Bacon, and continue to intrigue and enlighten.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin

About the Author

C. D. N. COSTA is Professor of Classics and Chairman of the School of Antiquity at Birmingham University. His main research has been writing commentaries on the world of Seneca, Letters, Dialogues and the tragedy Medea, and he has also edited Lucretius V and a book of essays on Horace. Some of his translations of Seneca's Letters have been given broadcast readings by Paul Scofield on BBC Radio 3.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140446796
• ISBN-13: 978-0140446791
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Nonfiction > Latin

More About the Author

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, statesman, philosopher, advocate and man of letters, was born in Spain around 4BC. He rose to prominence at Rome, pursuing a double career in the courts and political life, until Claudius sent him into exile exile on the island of Corsica for eight years. Recalled in AD49, he was appointed tutor to the boy who was to become, in AD54, the emperor Nero. Seneca acted for eight years as Nero's unofficial chief minister until Nero too turned against him and he retired from public life to devote himself to philosophy and writing. In AD65, following the discovery of a plot against the emperor, he and many others were compelled by Nero to commit suicide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "the most reasonable and practical thinker Rome ever knew", April 10, 2005

By 

Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dialogues and Letters (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

If Seneca was not the greatest philosopher of the Silver Age, then he was the most reasonable and practical thinker Rome ever knew. For his natural, straight-forward system of applied ethics made philosophy a way of living for the whole of the Roman populace. Truly, it was not just the singular privilege of educated wealthy aristocrats and politicians to realize the Stoic ideal, but it was also within the power of uneducated slaves and lower-class-citizens to embody those virtues as well, as the example of Epictetus clearly shows. Now, here presented in this piecemeal selection of Seneca's works, one may first come to meet this exemplar of Stoicism face-to-face in every genre he ever wrote in, with the exception of his Tragedies and his only extant Satire entitled, The God Claudius. Furthermore, these short extractions from Seneca's relatively immense corpus of writings are rich in allusion and anecdote, and they are packed with profoundly helpful advice on how to endure life's hardships and how to enjoys life's benefits to the fullest as well. This little volume will be a great introductory source for Roman Stoicism and it will compel readers to pursue the greater portions of Seneca's superb works. One may discover the complete surviving body of Seneca's writings in text and translation within the invaluable editions of the Loeb Classical Library (Harvard).

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Seneca, February 6, 2002

By 

Jeffrey Sauro (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dialogues and Letters (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Great book. This collection by penguin includes a piecemeal assortment of some of Seneca's work. This was my introduction to Seneca so I can't speak to its representation of his work.

The essays and letters read in the classic proscriptive style of stoic philosophy (see especially the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius). It was filled with succinct proverbial exhortations that are memorable and penetrating. Seneca and the stoics provide more psychological self-help than most contemporary books in that genre. There is a reason some authors are still read after 2000 years. A quick read and for a worthwhile investment in time--at least for those who are new to Seneca.

Some of my favorites:

It is better to be despised for simplicity than to suffer agonies from everlasting pretense. Still let us use moderation here: there is a big difference between living simply and living carelessly.

We should also make ourselves flexible, so that we do not pin our hopes too much on our set plans and can move over to those things to which chance has brought us without dreading a change in either our purpose or our condition, provided that fickleness, that fault most inimical to tranquility, does not get a hold of us.

The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and losses today.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Do Not order the kindle edition, July 27, 2011

By 

Scot Clemens (Federal Way, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dialogues and Letters (Penguin Classics) (Kindle Edition)

The typeface is huge and not controllable from the font controls on the Kindle. All the paragraphs are funky. Best to find another edition or buy the paperback. It's hard to understand why Penguin and Amazon would even bother selling something so disappointing. One wonders if the publisher even bothered to test it.