Below I present one of Seneca's letters to Lucilius, available at The Stoic, a wonderful site about stoicism and responsible for the translations of Seneca's letters. At the end I added several reflections to deepen the content of the letter.
Greetings from Seneca to Lucilius.
- Do you suggest, “avoid the crowd, and withdraw from men, and be content with your own conscience?” Where are your school boards that order a man to die in the midst of productive work?[1]” As for the course that I seem to urge you from time to time, my aim in withdrawing and locking the door is to be able to help a greater number. I never spend a day in idleness; I even use part of the night to study. I don't give myself time to sleep, but I surrender to sleep when I need it, and when my eyes are tired and ready to fall closed, I keep them on task.
- I have withdrawn not only from men, but from business, especially from my own business; I'm working for later generations, writing down some ideas that might be of help to them. There is certain sound advice, which can be compared to prescriptions for medicine; these I am putting in writing; for I have found them useful in ministering to my own wounds, which, if not wholly healed, have at least ceased to spread.
- I point other men to the right path, which I found late in life, when tired of wandering. I cry out to them: “Avoid what pleases the crowd: avoid the gifts of chance, evaluate all the good that chance brings you, in a spirit of doubt and fear, for it is the animals that are deceived by temptation. Do you call these things “gifts of fortune”? They are traps. And any man among you who desires to live a life of security will avoid, to the utmost of his power, those favorable branches, whereby mortals, most lamentably in this case, are deceived; because we think we have them in our power, but they are the ones holding us back.
- Such a course leads us to precipitous paths, and life on such heights ends in a fall. Furthermore, we cannot even rise up against prosperity when it begins to lead us to leeward; nor can we go down, either, “with the ship on course”; fortune does not sink us, it fills our sails and hurls us onto the rocks.
- “Hold fast, then, to this wholesome and wholesome rule of life—that you satisfy your body only so far as is necessary for good health. The body must be treated more strictly, lest it be disobedient to the mind. Eat only to alleviate your hunger, drink only to quench your thirst, dress only to keep out the cold, shelter only as a protection against personal discomfort. It doesn't matter if the house is built of wood or imported marble, understand that a man is sheltered as well by straw as by a roof of gold. Despise everything that useless labor creates as an ornament and an object of beauty. And reflect that nothing beyond the soul is worthy of admiration, because for the soul, if it is great, nothing is great. “
- When I commune in such terms with myself and future generations, do you not think that I am doing more good than when I appear as a counselor in court, or stamp my seal upon a decision, or render assistance to the senate, by word or deed? , to a candidate? Believe me, those who seem to be busy with nothing are busy with the greatest tasks; they are dealing at once with mortal things and immortal things.
- But I must stop, and make my usual contribution, to balance this letter. Payment will not be made from my own property; for I am still copying Epicurus. Today I read, in his works, the following sentence: “If you want to enjoy true freedom, you must be a slave to Philosophy”. The man who submits and gives himself to her is not kept waiting; he is emancipated in the act. For the very service of Philosophy is freedom.
- You will probably ask me why I quote so many noble words from Epicurus instead of words taken from our own school. But is there any reason why you should consider them as sayings of Epicurus and not public domain? How many poets exude ideas that were uttered or could have been uttered by philosophers! I need not talk about tragedies and our drama writers; because the latter are also a little serious, and are halfway between comedy and tragedy. What a number of sacred verses are buried in mime! How many lines from Publius are worthy of being recited by famous actors, as well as by bare feet![2]
- I will quote a verse of his, which concerns philosophy, and particularly that phase we discussed just now, where he says that the gifts of chance should not be considered as part of our possessions:
| It is still unknown what you gained due to greed. | Alienum est omne, quicquid opting evenit.[3] |
- I remember that you yourself expressed this idea in a much happier and more concise way: What Fortune has done is not yours. And a third, said by you, should not be omitted: The good that can be given, can be removed. I'm not going to put this into your expense account because I gave it out of your own equity.
Keep strong. Stay Well.
[1] In contrast to the general Stoic doctrine of participating in the politics and activities of the world.
[2] "excalceatis”, Comedians or mimes
[3] Proverbs of Publius Syro.
Exploring Seneca's Letter 8 to Lucilius: Reflections on Isolation and Stoic Wisdom
In Letter 8 addressed to Lucilius, the Stoic philosopher Seneca exposes his unique vision of isolation, productivity and the search for true wisdom. This eloquent writing offers us a deep dive into the philosopher's convictions about life, simplicity, and the relevance of philosophy in our individual journeys. Let's explore and reflect on the passages from this letter, highlighting its philosophical richness and its applicability to everyday life.
Isolation as a Source of Help
Seneca begins by questioning Lucilius' suggestion to avoid the crowd and withdraw from human society. Contrasting this advice with the Stoic doctrine, which advocates active participation in social life, Seneca reveals his unique perspective. He argues that his isolation is not for idleness, but rather to become more capable of helping a greater number of people.
This approach seems paradoxical: how can isolation be synonymous with help? Active isolation, as proposed by Seneca, is a means of cultivating wisdom to offer guidance and support to those in need. It is not about moving away from social responsibilities, but rather about acquiring the necessary tools to better deal with these responsibilities.
Working for Future Generations
Seneca highlights his alienation not only from people but also from worldly affairs. He focuses his time and effort on writing ideas that can be of help to future generations. Likening these ideas to doctors' prescriptions for his own wounds, he advises others not to be deceived by the “gifts of fortune.”
Seneca's attention to the future is remarkable. His writing is not just a personal exercise, but an attempt to bequeath valuable teachings to subsequent generations. Furthermore, he warns about the trap of fortune, encouraging careful reflection on the gifts that life offers, as they are not always what they seem.
Simplicity and Moderation
Seneca advises us to seek a life of security, avoiding being deceived by the charms of fortune. He proposes a simple lifestyle, where the body is treated sparingly to keep the mind in control. He despises excesses and adorns only the soul, the only one worthy of admiration.
In this age of unbridled consumption and the constant search for more, Seneca's words resonate powerfully. His emphasis on valuing the soul over material goods reflects the Stoic essence of finding contentment in that which is essential and intrinsic to human nature. Moderation and simplicity thus become fundamental pillars in the search for virtue.
Reflection on the Words of Epicurus
When quoting Epicurus, Seneca highlights the essence of freedom that comes from service to Philosophy. He recognizes the universality of wisdom, regardless of its origin, and shares the importance of being a slave to Philosophy to achieve true freedom.
By resorting to a philosopher often contrasting with Stoicism, Seneca highlights the transversality of philosophical ideas. This emphasizes the search for wisdom beyond the barriers of schools of thought, prioritizing the truth over the origin of ideas.
Conclusion
Seneca's Letter 8 to Lucilius is a testimony to the importance of self-improvement, active isolation to cultivate wisdom, and the pursuit of moderation and simplicity in life. These timeless teachings highlight the need for continuous reflection on our choices, priorities, and the true value of things in the pursuit of a virtuous and meaningful life.
Seneca's wisdom continues to echo through the centuries, offering valuable insights into the search for true happiness and fulfillment. His words echo like a beacon, guiding us towards a path of serenity, wisdom and authenticity.
