Letters from a Stoic
by:
Seneca (author)
Robin Campbell (author)
A philosophy that saw self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', Stoicism called for the restraint of animal instincts and the severing of emotional ties. These beliefs were formulated by the Athenian followers of Zeno in the fourth century BC, but it was in...
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A philosophy that saw self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', Stoicism called for the restraint of animal instincts and the severing of emotional ties. These beliefs were formulated by the Athenian followers of Zeno in the fourth century BC, but it was in Seneca (c. 4 BC - AD 65) that the Stoics found their most eloquent advocate. Stoicism, as expressed in the Letters, helped ease pagan Rome's transition to Christianity, for it upholds upright ethical ideals and extols virtuous living, as well as expressing disgust for the harsh treatment of slaves and the inhumane slaughters witnessed in the Roman arenas. Seneca's major contribution to a seemingly unsympathetic creed was to transform it into a powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.
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Format: paperback
ISBN:
9780140442106 (0140442103)
ASIN: 140442103
Publish date: July 30th 1969
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Pages no: 256
Edition language: English
Category:
Classics,
Non Fiction,
Writing,
Essays,
History,
Literature,
Self Help,
Politics,
Philosophy,
Roman,
Ancient
Composed by Seneca the Younger during his retirement after he had worked for Nero for more than a decade, these letters to procurator of Sicily Lucilius Junior inspired Montaigne and a host of others with their practical wisdom, eclectic Stoicism, and varied rhetoric.
I am not a big fan of Stoicism , but I found this book interesting , the best thing about Stoics ( despite contradictions ) that they did not believe in life after death .
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. In my case a decade late, I guess. For those who yearn for nothing more but a word of wisdom during the dark days of self doubt and anxiety, look no further, Seneca has more wisdom to offer than one can imagine. My advise, don't treat this as an in...