Lectures and Fragments

Gaius Musonius Rufus (c. AD 30–100) was one of the four great Roman Stoic philosophers, the other three being Seneca, Marcus Aurelius and Musonius’s pupil Epictetus. Rufus taught philosophy in Rome during the reign of Nero, as a consequence of which he was sent into exile in 65 AD to Gyaros, a barren island in the Aegean Sea.

Because Stoicism was, for Musonius, not merely a philosophy but a guide to daily living, he has been called “the Roman Socrates.”

The opinions of Musonius were collected by two of his students, Lucius and Pollio. Twenty one lectures and an assortment of fragments are presented here. The lectures or discourses are as follows:1. That There is No Need of Giving Many Proofs for One Problem2. That Man is Born with an Inclination Toward Virtue3. That Women Too Should Study Philosophy4. Should Daughters Receive the Same Education as Sons?5. Which is more Effective, Theory or Practice?6. On Training7. That One Should Disdain Hardships8. That Kings Also Should Study Philosophy9. That Exile is not an Evil10. Will the Philosopher Prosecute Anyone for Personal Injury?11. What means of Livelihood is Appropriate for a Philosopher?12. On Sexual Indulgence13. What is the Chief End of Marriage14. Is Marriage a Handicap for the Pursuit of Philosophy?15. Should Every Child that is Born be Raised?16. Must One Obey One’s Parents under all Circumstances?17. What is the Best Viaticum for Old Age?18. On Food19. On Clothing and Shelter20. On Furnishings21. On Cutting the Hair

Lectures and Fragments of Musonius Rufus is essential reading for students of Stoics and anyone interested in leading ‘the good life.’