Customer Reviews

Stoic Philosophy of Seneca: Essays and Letters

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I read this book while in graduate school (when I was suppose to be reading something else of course), and it had a profound effect on me. There are many legends in Stoicism but there are few tangible works, ones that one can imbibe and feel atleast a little filled--other than Marcus Aurelius. This book gives not so much a systematic look at the philosophy but it does have that density and practicality and intimacy, which is so rare. It is interesting and more illuminating than any other book on the topic that I have come across, including the other greats: Epictetus, Aurelius.

Seneca's one hundred and twenty four letters to Lucilius constitute a secular bible, an ethical catechism written in a gnomic and epigrammatic style that sparkles as it enlightens. So impressed were the early church fathers with Seneca's moral insights that they advanced (fabricated?) the speculation that he must have come within the influence of Christian teachings. T.S. Eliot sneers at Seneca's boyish, commonplace wisdom and points out that the resemblances between Seneca's 'stoic philosophy' and Christianity are superficial. For those seeking a practical, modern manual on how to do good and how to do well, written in the 'silver point' style that values brevity, concision and memorable expression, Seneca's letters are indeed the Good Book.

Even though this book was written over two thousand years ago, there is so much wisdom that is appropriate today.

I must be honest and tell you that it is not an easy read. Writers of that age did not believe in simple sentence structure. And unless you are a student of ancient history, there are lots of references whom you will not know. However the value is so great that I recommend you spend the time and effort and learn from a great thinker.

Thankfully we have moved to a democratic form of government. The rulers of that day generally ruled by brute force, eliminating those who opposed them. A large part of his writings were to teach people how to deal with the problems of the day.

While our problems are different in name, the underlying principles for dealing with them have not changed. We have learned more about the mind and how it works, so his discourse on the mind is a little dated.

Some examples of his insight:

"It is not that we have so little time but that we lose (waste) so much."

"Many people, I imagine could attain wisdom if they were not convinced they already had it, ..."

"...we are tormented alike by the future and the past. Our superiority brings us much distress; memory recalls the torment of fear, foresight anticipates it. No one confines his misery to the present."

His lessons are still very valuable today.

A convenient, scholarly, and entertaining collection of material that illustrates the depth and human interest value of Roman and Stoic philosophy - the topical arrangement makes for fast reference, and the translation is of the first order.

This text is good for those who love to think and ponder the greater things in life. A must have for aspiering philosophers!!It's !Wit and wisdom is needed in a cold and calous age

The product came in a timely manner & was just what I had intended on getting. In good shape

I have a moderate interest in philosophy, and watched that recent show on PBS called Consolations of Philosophy, with some interest. Based on de Botton's interpretation of Seneca, I bought this book. I found it absolutely unreadable and boring. Furthermore, it does NOT contain De Irae/On Anger. I can't imagine anyone benefiting from reading this book, or enjoying it.