|
I have no problem recommending this book to others. I have found many of Seneca's letters to be useful in my life.
I found that to be very revealing and comforting. We all know those so called "friends", who are with us only for the value THEY get. well, there are some paragraphs here that will open your eyes to notice how YOU are handling the relationships in your life. I like this book a lot. I highly recommend this book. I read parts of Seneca's writings in high school (originally I'm Italian), and back then it was a nightmare to get through it.I don't read it chronologically, page by page, but I choose a random letter and take some time to meditate on its teachings (if applicable to my life, of course). I think the editor and translator did a great job making these scripts readable and approachable. One of the greatest lessons I learned from the book is about the value of friendship.
It is a masterpiece.I have already read it three times and every time is a new dive into Seneca's world. Most readers might not be interested in approaching a great philosopher who lived 2,000 years ago but the simplicity, depth and sharpness of his words will be a nice surprise letter by letter.To say that this book is highly recommended is not enough. Reading this book is like spotting a light on the shore while sailing at night. It is an amazing series of letters that will surprise you with the clarity of thoughts and the relevance to our days.
So I will just recommend that you do a little research on stoicism and if you think you are interested in reading further, buy this book. I think that actually explains it better than any description I could give. This was the first book I have read on Stoicism based off of the recommendation of two bloggers, Tim Ferriss and Ryan Holiday. I have just sat here for ten minutes trying to think of a way I can explain how much I loved this book.
Seneca was born around 4 BC and died in 65 AD. His intellectual engagement was shaped by a wide range of substantial philosophical interests and concerns with Platonism, Aristotelianism, and even with Epicureanism but it is his Stoic Philosophy that shapes much of his wisdom. The Letters were written by Seneca around AD 62 to his friend Lucilius and are best described as exercises in practical philosophy. Without it, no one can live fearlessly or in peace of mind.
They value positive emotions, with feelings of joy being at the top of their list. Listen to the proper goal of Stoic philosophy according to Seneca;"Philosophy. is how the mind may always pursue a steady and favourable course, may be well-disposed towards itself, and may view its conditions with joy, and suffer no interruption of this joy, but may abide in a peaceful state, being never uplifted nor ever cast down."A life of inner peace and joy - what a wonderful goal. Seneca speaks on many topics from friendship to thoughts, the universe and fate, on issues of the passions, the structure of the soul, the nature of the `will' and the `self'. As discussed in the Wisdom Note on The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius the Stoics are not out to banish the emotions; they are out to reduce, to the extent possible, negative emotions, such as feelings of anger or grief that will disrupt our tranquillity. It is said he was one of the most remarkable people of his time: he deserves a place in the history books not just for his philosophical writings but for acting as primary advisor to the emperor Nero, for his skill and success as a playwright, and for his financial acumen--acting in his day as the equivalent of an investment banker.
takes as her aim the state of happiness." And "What we [Stoics] are seeking. He reminds us that; "Your greatest difficulty is with yourself; you are your own stumbling-block."In his Letters we discover how to remove that stumbling block with the wisdom of this remarkable man. Seneca believed that the primary reason for philosophy is so we can live better lives:"A person who goes to a philosopher should carry away with him something or other of value every day; he should return home a sounder man or at least more capable of becoming one."In a beautiful letter Seneca provides this wonderful wisdom on why we should study philosophy;"It moulds and constructs the soul; it orders our life, guides our conduct, shows us what we should do and what we should leave undone; it sits at the helm and directs our course as we waver amid uncertainties. Countless things that happen every hour call for advice; and such advice is to be sought in philosophy."That is a wonderful thought and has to be one of the best reasons for studying Philosophy and Seneca is one of the best to study.
|
