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.
- Continue to act like this, my dear Lucílio – free yourself on your own; save and save your time, which until recently has been forcibly taken from you, or stolen, or simply slipped out of your hands. Make yourself believe in the truth of my words, – that certain moments are wrested from us, that some are gently removed, and that others slip away beyond our reach. The most unfortunate type of loss, however, is that due to carelessness. Furthermore, if you pay attention to the problem, you will see that most of our life goes by while we are doing unpleasant things, a good part while we are doing nothing, and all of it while we are doing what we shouldn't do.
- What man can you show me who places some value on his time, who gives each day its due, who understands that he is dying daily? For we are mistaken when we think that death is a thing of the future; most of the death is over. Any years behind us are already in the hands of death. Therefore, Lucílio, do as you write to me that you are doing: keep every hour within your reach. Grab today's task, and you won't need to depend so much on tomorrow. While we are postponing, life goes by.
- Nothing, Lucílio, is ours, except time. Nature has given us the privilege of this one thing, so fleeting and slippery that anyone can snatch such possession. What fools these mortals are! They allow the cheapest and most useless things, which can be easily replaced, to be accounted for after they have been acquired; but they never consider themselves in debt when they receive part of that precious commodity, time! And yet time is the only loan that not even the most grateful recipient can repay.
- You may wish to know how I, who preach to you, am practicing. I confess frankly: my current account balance is as expected from someone generous but careful. I cannot boast of wasting nothing, but at least I can tell you what I am wasting, the cause and manner of it; I can give you the reasons why I am a poor man. My situation, however, is the same as that of many who are reduced to misery through no fault of their own: everyone forgives them, but no one comes to their rescue.
- What is the state of affairs then? It is this: I do not consider a man to be poor if the little he has left is sufficient. However, I advise you to preserve what is truly yours; and it's never too early to start. Because, as our ancestors believed, it's too late to spend when we get to the bottom of the pot. Of what remains at the bottom, the quantity is little, and the quality is vile.
Keep strong. Stay Well.
Greetings from Seneca to Lucilius
Greetings, my dear Lucílio. In these opening words of the first letter of “Letters to Lucilius,” Seneca establishes a warm and meaningful connection with his friend and disciple. It is interesting to observe how, from the beginning, the relationship between stoic philosopher and his pupil is marked by a shared search for wisdom and self-improvement. The relationship between master and disciple is a recurring theme in the letters, and Seneca uses this correspondence not only to teach, but also to learn and grow.
Stoic Reflection 1: Valuing Meaningful Relationships
Seneca deeply values his friendship and relationship with Lucilius, and this connection is an important part of philosophical journey. He writes: “Continue to act like this, my dear Lucílio – break free on your own…” This is a call for independence and self-discovery, essential aspects of stoic philosophy. Lucílio is encouraged to “save and save his time,” recognizing that time is a valuable and finite resource.
Making the Most of Time and the Preciousness of the Moment
Seneca continues his letter encouraging Lucilius to make full use of time. He describes time as a precious resource that is often wasted, either through negligence or by dedicating it to futile activities. The metaphor used by Seneca, where some moments are snatched from us, others are gently removed, and some simply slip through our hands, is a reflection on the ephemerality of life and the importance of each moment.
Stoic Reflection 2: The Importance of the Present
Seneca warns Lucilius that most of life is spent in unpleasant activities or inaction, which causes us to miss opportunities for growth and virtue. He reminds us that death is not something in the distant future, but something that is happening daily. Therefore, we must “hold each hour within reach” and seize the task of the day. Stoics emphasize the importance of living in the present, making wise and ethical choices.
Death Consciousness and the Appreciation of Time
Seneca makes an insightful observation when he states that many people act as if death is something in the future, when in reality, most death is already behind us. It reminds us of the ephemeral nature of life and the urgency of living well each day. Reflection on mortality is a common Stoic practice, designed to remind us of the transience of all things and to motivate us to pursue virtue.
Stoic Reflection 3: Meditation on Death
Seneca reminds us: “Nothing, Lucilius, is ours except time.” This statement is a call to reflect on impermanence and mortality. The Stoics practiced meditation on death to face the reality of the finiteness of life with serenity and courage. Recognizing our own mortality inspires us to live with purpose and embrace virtue.
The Unique Value of Time
Seneca emphasizes that, among all possessions, time is the only one that cannot be truly possessed. He criticizes the human tendency to value material and trivial things, while neglecting the most valuable resource we have. Time is a loan from nature that cannot be repaid no matter how much we wish.
Stoic Reflection 4: Material Detachment and Valuing Time
Stoics value material detachment and the pursuit of wisdom about the pursuit of riches. Seneca reminds us not to become attached to ephemeral and transitory things, but rather to invest in our own moral and spiritual improvement. Time is a finite currency, and the way we choose to spend it reflects our deepest values.
Self-Criticism and Failure Recognition
Seneca closes the letter by admitting his own failures in time management. He recognizes that he is not perfect and that he also wastes precious moments. However, he makes a crucial distinction between conscious waste and carelessness. He suggests that it is better to recognize our mistakes and failures than to waste time unconsciously.
Stoic Reflection 5: Self-Criticism and Self-Examination
Stoics value self-examination and self-criticism as tools for personal growth. Seneca shows us that we all make mistakes, but it is through honest reflection on our actions that we can improve. Recognizing our mistakes and seeking self-improvement is a fundamental aspect of Stoic philosophy.
Conclusion: The Priceless Value of Time
In this letter, Seneca reminds us of the importance of taking advantage of time and valuing each moment. He invites us to reflect on our mortality and not delude ourselves into thinking that we have all the time in the world. Stoic philosophy teaches us to live wisely, ethically and virtuously in the present, without procrastinating or wasting the most precious resource we have: time.
Therefore, the fundamental lesson of this letter is clear: we must embrace the present, cultivate meaningful relationships, seek self-improvement, and live according to the principles of Stoic philosophy, recognizing that time is our most valuable and fleeting possession. Stay strong, stay well, and stay committed to living a life of meaning and virtue. As Seneca wrote, "Keep strong. Keep well.”
