Letters from a Stoic

Name: Letters from a Stoic
Brand: Penguin Books Ltd
SKU: 9780140442106
Price: 23.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

Epistulae Morales Ad Lucilium

By Seneca

4.34

( 45,503 ratings, 2,345 reviews)

Summary

In Letters from a Stoic, Seneca shares his insights on living a fulfilling and virtuous life through a series of letters. He provides practical advice on how to cultivate inner peace, resilience, and wisdom while facing life's challenges. The letters offer timeless guidance on personal growth and ethical living.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Letters from a Stoic

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate timeless wisdom on coping with life's challenges, embracing virtue, and achieving personal growth. It offers profound philosophical insights through a series of personal letters, making ancient stoic philosophy accessible and relevant to modern readers.

Letters from a Stoic

A philosophy that saw self-possession as the key to an existence lived "in accordance with nature", Stoicism called for restraint of animal instincts and severing of emotional ties. Seneca's contribution to a seemingly unsympathetic creed was to transform it into an inspiring declaration of the dig

Description

In Letters from a Stoic, Lucius Annaeus Seneca imparts timeless wisdom through a series of epistles addressed to his friend Lucilius. The letters encompass a myriad of topics centred around the moral and ethical underpinnings of Stoic philosophy. Each letter is a profound reflection on life, offering practical advice on how to live virtuously, manage one's emotions, and achieve peace of mind despite life's inevitable challenges. Delving into themes such as the pursuit of wisdom, the importance of self-control, and the pursuit of tranquillity, Seneca’s writings serve as a guide to navigating the complexities of human existence.

The philosophy that Seneca advocates is one where self-possession and calm rationality are the keys to leading a life 'in accordance with nature'. This Stoic doctrine calls for the restraint of base instincts and the severing of emotional ties that often lead to distress. Originating with the Athenian followers of Zeno in the fourth century BC, Stoicism found one of its most eloquent and compelling voices in Seneca, who lived between approximately 4 BC to AD 65.

Seneca's Letters from a Stoic not only eased the transition of pagan Rome into the Christian era but also upheld strong ethical ideals, advocating for virtuous living. His writings denounce the cruel treatment of slaves and the gruesome spectacles of the Roman arenas, reflecting a deep abhorrence for inhumanity. Through his work, Seneca made a significant contribution to Stoicism by transforming it from a seemingly dispassionate doctrine into an inspiring and fervent affirmation of the individual mind's dignity and strength.

Seneca’s letters are a remarkable blend of philosophy and self-help, offering insights that are just as relevant today as they were two millennia ago. His exploration of the human condition and ethical living remains a cornerstone of Western thought, providing guidance on how to face adversity, cultivate inner peace, and live with integrity. With its profound reflections and practical wisdom, Letters from a Stoic continues to inspire readers to rise above life's tumultuous waves and achieve a state of serene contentment.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Letters from a Stoic by Seneca is praised for its timeless wisdom and practical guidance on living a virtuous life. Readers appreciate Seneca's insights on dealing with adversity, personal growth, and the pursuit of tranquility. His letters are seen as accessible and relevant, offering profound reflections on human nature and ethical living.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140442106

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 August 2004

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

Translated by Robin Campbell
Edited by Robin Campbell
Introduction by Robin Campbell

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 193g

Pages: 256

Collections

All Books Biography & Memoir Non-Fiction Philosophy & Psychology Philosophy & Stoicism Seneca

About the Author

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c.4BC - AD65) was born in Spain but was raised according to the traditional values of the republic of Rome. In AD48 he became tutor to the future emperor Nero and became his principal civil advisor when he took power. His death was eventually ordered by Nero in AD65, but Seneca anticipated the emperor's decree and committed suicide. Robin Campbell is a well-known translator.