Letters from a Stoic: Seneca’s Moral Letters to Lucilius

Moral Letters to Lucilius also known as the Moral Epistles and Letters from a Stoic, is a collection of 124 letters that Seneca the Younger wrote at the end of his life, during his retirement, after he had worked for the Emperor Nero for more than ten years. They are addressed to Lucilius Junior, the then procurator of Sicily, who is known only through Seneca’s writings. Regardless of how Seneca and Lucilius actually corresponded, it is clear that Seneca crafted the letters with a broad readership in mind.
The letters often begin with an observation on daily life, and then proceed to an issue or principle abstracted from that observation. The result is like a diary, or handbook of philosophical meditations. The letters focus on many traditional themes of Stoic philosophy such as the stout-heartedness of the sage, and virtue as the supreme good.
Seneca’s letters are focused on the inner-life, and the joy that comes from wisdom. He emphasizes the Stoic theme that virtue is the only true good and vice the only true evil. He repeatedly refers to the brevity of life and the fleeting nature of time.
124 different letters are included in this volume, covering topics such as: On saving time On discursiveness in reading On true and false friendship On the terrors of death On the philosopher’s mean On sharing knowledge On crowds On the philosopher’s seclusion On philosophy and friendship On living to oneself On the blush of modesty On old age On groundless fears On the reasons for withdrawing from the world On brawn and brains On philosophy, the guide of life On philosophy and riches On festivals and fasting On worldliness and retirement On practising what you preach ... & much, much more.