Lettres à Lucilius. Tome I : Livres I-IV

by Seneca, Sénèque, Henri Noblot (Translator)

The first sixty-five letters of Seneca's series of Stoic philosophic explorations, covering subjects as far reaching as fame, death, travel and asthma. Heavily referenced and quoted by many, the full text begins here.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics, Nonfiction, History, Essays, Ancient History, Self Help

354 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 64

About the author

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca or Seneca the Younger); ca. 4 BC – 65 AD) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero, who later forced him to commit suicide for alleged complicity in the Pisonian conspiracy to have him assassinated.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of 65 of the 124 letters that Seneca wrote to his friend Lucilius during the last two years of his life. Despite being called "letters," these don't focus on what Seneca was doing or where he was traveling. Instead, these letters are little philosophical essays. Seneca would choose a topic, start by describing it in a rather mundane way, and smoothly expand it into a philosophical discussion. He relates the subject to Stoicism, often by way of Epicureanism. The translation is easy to read, although I would have appreciated some more explanatory footnotes and the translator assumes that the reader understands Greek, and so leaves Greek references untranslated. (This translation is from 1917; that was probably a safer assumption back then.) But even if philosophy sounds like a heavy, dull subject, Seneca is an entertaining writer, and these letters/essays make for a readable, understandable guide to Stoicism.

[Tg · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Now go question yourself, if you are never downcast, if day and night your soul keeps on its even level, unyielding, upright, unruffled, never in anxiety about what is to come, a soul that does not greedily covet after unending wealth, that thinks any path but that of truth is in error, unyielding, undismayed, elevated from the mortal affairs of men, compassionate with the sufferings of others, a soul that does not overrate itself, with love and concern for animals and men, such a soul has been uplifted from this mortal realm and dwells among the divine, even if it be lodged in a mortal body " Seneca

Blessings and Peace forever.......

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first collection of non-biblical epistles and I really loved reading it. It was so interesting to hear about the world of Seneca and Lucilius. For example, there was the very real threat that one could end up in prison or being executed without having done a whole lot wrong. The best part though was hearing his wisdom about every day kinds of things. For example, be careful of making yourself busy for busy's sake. It's like a really good self-help book, but better than that because it's so super old.

[Jim Trupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound letters and thoughts.

Deep philosophical words in letters written 2000 years ago. I found it astonishing how relevant its lessons are in today's age. And how many of today's writings are just paraphrases of this wisdom from two millennium ago. After reading this volume I never felt stronger that "it is time to put the books down and begin living by their hint".

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughter, tears, and all that jazz. Thanks, Seneca, I love you.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

But I spend my time in the company of all the best; no matter in what lands they may have lived, or in what age, I let my thoughts fly to them.

[Bora Gazidede · Rating 5 out of 5]

It amazes me how the toughest frazes actually are the ones to bare the most human fragility.

[Michael Kress · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was feeling a lot of stress at work and thought Stoic philosophy might help me to not react emotionally to it. I listened to this audiobook on the way home from work. Don't get me wrong; there's some good stuff in here. I just felt like there was, for me, a lot of filler. I think Seneca was nearing the end of his life, so he writes a lot about dealing with the idea of death. He references Socrates, who also gave his thoughts on death in The Trial and Death of Socrates. Hopefully, I have a lot of years left in me, so I'm not really worried about that right now.

The parts that I did like dealt with staying emotionally stable through the good times and the bad times. I don't know if people necessarily have to be as hardcore as the Stoics were to get something out of this, and I think reading and meditating on this stuff could help with anxiety. Seneca said, "As long as you live, keep learning how to live." I have found this to be true. Life can bring a lot of changes, and sometimes happiness is followed by struggle. But you can always learn and get better at dealing with every situation.

[Franta · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When time is so scarce what madness it is to learn superfluous things!"

I am listening to The Moral Epistles: 124 Letters to Lucilius, narrated by the amazing James Cameron Stewart.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are the ramblings of a curmudgeonly old Senator who quit politics so he could spend his days sitting around his villa, outside ancient Naples, thinking about death. At one point, he opts to write a letter above a bathhouse, just for the opportunity to complain about how difficult it is to write above a bathhouse.

In regards to Stoicism, though, he is arguably the most important thinker of his time (or any time before him). He brought structure to the school, which had all but completely given itself into pointless wordplay and musings of paradoxes. Philosophy is the only path to Wisdom and Wisdom is the only path to Happiness. He strips away the superficial aspects of Stoicism and leaves us with something focused, practical, and profoundly useful.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seneca's teachings are pretty enlightening, although quite some parts are common wisdom. It is interesting to notice that this Stoic quotes Epicurus far more than anyone else, which tells me how powerful Epicurus' philosophy is. These two men more than 2000 years ago certainly knew better how to live than almost all people do today.

[Ondřej]

"Mouse is a syllable. Now a mouse eats cheese; therefore, a syllable eats cheese." Suppose now that I cannot solve this problem; see what peril hangs over my head as a result of such ignorance! What a scrape I shall be in! Without doubt I must beware, or some day I shall be catching syllables in a mousetrap, or, if I grow careless, a book may devour my cheese!

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic stoic, pagan, view of moral virtue. Impressive on the surface, but empty without Christ

[Lotte]

Read letters: 11,13,33 and 35.

[Gabriel Montero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me he dado el tiempo de leer acerca de la vida de este Filósofo Estoico romano, que refleja en estas cartas, toda la sabiduría que fue ganando a través de sus años. Su vida sin dudas es muy interesante de estudiarla, por que comenzó desde muy joven haciendo carrera política, y durante toda su vida se dedico al estudio completo, no sólo del Estoicismo, sino de otras corrientes filosóficas, no despreciaba nada que tenga que ver con engrandecer el Alma. Fue un hombre que aceptaba que tenía muchos defectos, que le trajeron alguno infortunios, fue desterrado por Calígula y Nerón, quienes le despojaron de todos sus bienes materiales. En cada paso de su vida puso a prueba lo que predicaba, no necesitar nada más que una mente tranquila, que todo lo que necesitaba siempre está con él, que nada externo le evitaba practicar su virtud y que quería dejar un legado escrito, que sirviera como un bálsamo ante los problemas de los seres humanos. Este primer volumen reúne 80 cartas a Lucilio, un discípulo al que siempre se refiere con mucho cariño y admiración. Cada carta es una profunda reflexión acerca de un tema importante y están escritas de una manera brillante.

[CARLOS ALEXANDRE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro excelente, recomendo para todos que querem aprender a lidar com o mundo caótico que nos rodeia hoje. Os pensamentos estoicos contidos nesse livro vão fazer você encher garças o mundo e os acontecimentos que te atingem de uma forma diferente.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

These letters from a first century Roman offer a great deal of sound advice on any number of practical topics: find freedom in using one's time wisely, spend one's time reading the masterworks, the fundamental requirement of trust to have friendship, and that true poverty comes from always craving more. The two things I liked best: Seneca's insistence that the best ideas are common property. In other words, he would grab hold of truth wherever he could find it, something he illustrates by quoting rival philosopher Epicurus numerous times. Second, I love the way he talks about distinguishing oneself not through by leaving the situation, but by distinguishing one's behavior within the potentially compromising situation.

However, Seneca also has, as a product of his time, a pervasive Platonistic dualism that causes him to preference the non-material over the material. This emphasis is consistent throughout the letters, as the resulting asceticism impacts any number of his exhortations to his friend Lucilius. In general, Seneca's approach is to encourage his friend to a personal self-denial that is borne out of a denial of creation. How much more impact would these exhortations have in a context where self-denial exists alongside a corresponding love for the created world?

[Selton Chagas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Há muito tempo eu não lia sobre estoicismo. Há mais de uma década. Ao conversar com um amigo, veio-me a necessidade de retomar tais leituras, que poderiam ser confundidas, hoje em dia, com a modinha da autoajuda.
Desde então, o lema que Sêneca sempre indica ao final de seus escritos a Lucílio - "Mantenha-se forte, mantenha-se bem" - é algo que eu sempre venho ressoando comigo e com pessoas queridas. Afinal, é o que a vida nos exige e nos precisa (deve) excitar. E isso Sêneca, há quase dois mil anos, já vinha nos alertando com essas preciosas pistas em suas cartas a Lucílio.
É uma leitura, eu penso, que deve ser retomada de tempos em tempos, não necessariamente o livro do começo ao fim. Mas ler por assuntos, por capítulos, do fim para o meio, do meio para o começo, como você preferir. Sobretudo quando precisamos cada vez mais de autoconhecimento, amor próprio e entender que a principal fortaleza que precisamos construir para servir ao mundo é fortalecer a nós mesmos, primeiramente.
Mantenha-se forte, mantenha-bem.

[Michael Helvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have tremendous respect for the Stoics. Unlike Nietzsche, who also stared into the void of nonbeing, they did not flinch away into madness, but had the courage to pursue virtue. "Let us not fear wrongs, or wounds or bonds, or poverty. And what is death? It is either the end, or a process of change. I have no fear of ceasing to exist; it is the same as not having begun" (Epistle LXV).

Seneca's relentless pursuit of virtue is surprisingly Christian. When he speaks of wisdom, he says, "The effect of wisdom is a joy that is unbroken and continuous. The mind of the wise man is like the ultra-lunar firmament; eternal calm pervades that region. You have, then, a reason for wishing to be wise, if the wise man is never deprived of joy. This joy springs only from the knowledge that you possess the virtues" (Epistle LIX).

[Edmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seneca, everybody must read him. He writes about the most important event in any human life, our deaths. We must focus on eternity, not this short earthly life. Seneca was open to faith, the immortality of the soul, he did not know for certain if there is life after death. Seneca provides important wisdom on how to live out our short lives. Life is a a beginning for the main event of life after death. One should not value this world, eternity is our home.

[Dunkelheit · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Letters from a Stoic that includes a compilation of dozens of letters extracted from the whole lot, this Volume I seems a little bit tougher to read, many topics and many pages. Skipping some of them is maybe a good option.

I would read first Letters from a Stoic, and then if you want to widen your Stoicism just give a try to these extended volumes.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accessible anthology of bite-sized thought-cum-anecdote.

I do like the Stoics; there is something essentially charming in attempting to seek virtue without justifications and excuses, while steadfastly criticizing the situation one finds themselves in.

[Rachel Dowling]

read most of this . . . in Bobonich's class

[Peter J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Author true to form.

[Matt]

Excellent

[GSS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible

[Carrie]

47

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

you had me at hello

[Rosewater Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Этому сложно дать объяснение: с чего бы вдруг человек вознамерился прочесть хотя бы часть моральных наставлений одного римского стоика некоему гос-аппаратчику, пииту, сицилийцу и современнику? Однако человек таки прочёл эту часть, №1-65; сделал ли он (или "она", раз уж "человек") для себя какие-либо выводы?
Первое, именно для "неё" чтение подобного было бы пустой тратой времени. Разве что перед "нею" возникла необходимость сочинения автобиографической заметки об адресате писем Сенеки и вулканическая поэма за авторством сицилийского прокуратора всё ещё вне доступа (как много можно сказать о человеке, посвящающем поэму извержениям вулканов - вопрос, который вполне можно счесть непозволительной вольностью).
Второе, рассуждения о смерти, как указывают, "сатирика Серебряного века Латинской литературы" и изгнанного сенатора: имеют ли они отношение к смерти в принципе или только к утешению, которое человек принуждён испытывать перед неминуемым? Если стоик касается самой по себе смерти, то его рассуждения не имеют цены в той мере, в какой он не имел возможности оную испытать. К примеру в первом же письме говорится: In hoc enim fallimur, quod mortem prospicimus: magna pars eius iam praeterit - или "Мы ошибаемся, ожидая смерти, поскольку большая часть её минует нас уже в момент ожидания" (перевод рукодельнический). Таким образом, классическое "жизнь как умирание" обращено в альтернативное объяснение мотивов Сенеки-младшего - утешение мудреца в сознании временности смерти, иначе говоря, растяжимости или приобретении смертью, в поисках облегчения, практической протяжённости (Томас Гоббс, сохрани он чувство юмора и по сей день, заметил бы, вероятно - если бы римские стоики внезапно приобрели возможность надувать пузыри из жевательных резинок без сахара, то этот не вполне съедобный объект стал бы причиной рождения и широкого распространения метафор, доступных разумению даже самых шаблонных из обитателей задних парт вдохновляемых европейскими ценностями и периодической печатью лицеев, гимназий, просто школ пост-советской демократии). Если кто нуждается в утешении и с этой задачей вполне справляется представление о том, что он не только не умрёт, но умирал, умирает и будет умирать - самое время усовершенствовать свою застольную аргументацию трудами персонажа, кончающего свою жизнь лишь по императорскому указанию (никаких инсинуаций).
Третье, высказывания о роли Фортуны могут и правда иметь некоторую ценность для плюралистов и релятивистов (и нет противоречия в том, что исходят эти слова из уст стоика); к примеру: ..maiorem iniuriam ipsi nobis fecimus quam a fortuna accepimus: illa unum abstulit, nos quemcumque non fecimus (LXIII) - или "Мы приносим себе вреда больше, нежели Фортуна, отнявшая у нас друга, тем, что ежечасно отказываем себе в возможности завести ещё одного". Это положение могло бы использоваться и практическими психологами в призванных благотворно влиять на состояние клиентов спекуляциях.
Более актуальным (и назидательным) может оказаться что-то наподобие: ..quare potius a fortuna impetrem ut det, quam a me ne petam? - или "С чего я взял, что имею право требовать от Фортуны подарков, не ожидая взамен обязательств?"
Четвёртое, если читатель берётся разбирать 65 писем, изданных 1960 лет назад, выводя из каждого по одной, показавшейся актуальной на момент чтения, цитате - значит, цитатор руководствуется какими-то конкретными мотивами, пусть даже оные носят сугубо лирический характер. Если какой-нибудь автор привлекает внимание человека, настроенного на лирический лад (до полнейшего пренебрежения социальным положением и финансовым достатком) - это может означать одно из двух: либо читатель растерял остатки понимания "морального долга" и пытается чтением "моральных писем" реабилитировать себя в глазах наседающих родных, близких, призванных к осуждению и оценке, формированию и поддержанию того же "морального облика", либо сочинитель не лишён известной литературной ценности и всё ещё сохраняет за собой право воспитать в интересующемся умение умозаключать, не смещая жизненной позиции; короче говоря, может сослужить службу художественному воплощению.
Пятое, наконец: ..si quando fatuo delectari volo, non est mihi longe quaerendus: me rideo - чего перевод всякий, уделивший время чтению и (задним числом) критике рецензии, в праве взять (и примерить) на себя.

[andyxach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro es como comerse un postre fino, hay que digerirlo de forma pausada e ir degustando cada nota de sabor que se vaya percibiendo. Con este libro es igual, cada carta es necesario leerlo despacio y digerir cada palabra, cada oración y cada párrafo, para sacar un mayor provecho a la filosofía estoica. Cabe decir que este libro pareciera escrito de una forma atemporal meticulosamente redactada, donde sin importar la época, cada oración sopesa y se puede interiorizar, sin que haya sesgos de época, o cabos sueltos al entendimiento de la época. Para un lector avanzado en filosofía y desee profundizar más allá de una primera capa de la filosofía estoica, este libro será un muy buen compañero de meditación.

PD: Deja una espina si cada carta realmente fue escrita para un verdadero Lucilio, o simplemente Seneca de una manera soberbiamente talentosa, pudo plasma en sus cartas, sus pensamientos y filosofía de manera que cualquier lector sea Lucilio.