Why I am a Stoic

by Seneca

Seneca Why I am a Stoic (Penguin Archives) anglais ABISBOOK PENGUIN UK.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2025

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

[Nadiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a single question is all it takes for you to feel less alone. Why Am I a Stoic? gathers fragments of Seneca’s thought, and though written centuries ago, many of his words landed with eerie relevance—as if they had been spoken into the very questions I’ve been quietly asking myself.

Seneca doesn’t lecture. He muses, reflects, admits, observes. He speaks about discomfort, doubt, stillness, and the tug-of-war between wanting to escape and needing to sit with yourself. Lines like “Rest is sometimes far from restful” and “What you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person” felt like someone gently placing a mirror in front of me—not to confront, but to understand.

There’s something grounding in how he writes of seemingly small things—eating, breathing, aging, time—and turns them into tender lessons on how to live more consciously. It reminded me that wisdom doesn’t have to come in grand gestures. Sometimes, it comes in a single sentence that feels like a truth you’ve known all along but couldn’t yet name.

Why Am I a Stoic? isn’t trying to change your life. But it might shift how you meet it—slowly, thoughtfully, and with a bit more honesty. And for me, that was more than enough.

[Anna Lassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

spitting bars i guess
I think we should bring back writing letters, i cannot imagine the excitement of receiving a letter from seneca, the guy’s pen was on fire.

[Piers Nihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

reaaaaally really like reading philosophy in epistolary form, makes the philosopher cut out all the bullshit and just get to the part you can actually apply to your way of living

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

First subset of Seneca's letters I've read, all because it was one of the few English books I could find in Bordeaux. These letters contain advice to his friend Lucilius about how to deal with the troubles of life. From contemplating death, illness, and controlling one's desires and learning to live simply, we are called to account. Without turning to extensive and elaborate reasoning on a series of propositions to deduce philosophical insights, Seneca is speaking to us in a directly applicable form.

I leave you with some of the more profound lessons I take away, but I urge you to read it yourself.

Seneca criticises the idea that one can travel to escape the worries that weigh on him, perhaps applicable to those going abroad to 'find themselves' as would translate to today.

... whatever your destination you will be followed by your failings. Here is what Socrates said to someone who was making the same complaint: “How can you wonder your travels do you no good, when you carry yourself around with you? You are saddled with the very thing that drove you away." ... You must lay aside the burdens of the mind; until you do this, no place will satisfy you.

If we achieve this, then

Where you arrive does not matter so much as what sort of person you are when you arrive there. ... A change of character, not a change of air, is what you need.

So how do we change our character?

'A consciousness of wrongdoing is the first step to salvation.' You have to catch yourself doing it before you can reform. Some people boast about their failings: can you imagine someone who counts his faults as merits ever giving thought to their cure? So - to the best of your ability - demonstrate your own guilt, conduct inquiries of your own into all the evidence against yourself. Play the part first of prosecutor, then of judge, and finally of pleader in mitigation. Be harsh with yourself at times.

[Yannis Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Unbelievably thought provoking!

[Angus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, while not as deep and thought provoking as the meditations it did get me thinking. I definitely found it a faster and lighter read than the meditations.

[Nuno · Rating 5 out of 5]

As cartas de Seneca resumem bem a grande maioria da filosofia estóica.

[Tim Bradshaw-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A range of wisdom covering different themes, with lots of timeless elements. Well compiled. Appreciated the referencing to expand my reading list too.

[Sofia Ros · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘never hope without an element of despair, never despair without an element of hope’

[Monya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just Seneca spitting bar after bar. Probably changed the trajectory of my life if I’m being honest.

“if you wish to be loved, love.“

[ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

meditations written 2,000 years ago that will stay with me forever and for future generations to come.

“For a life spent viewing all the variety, the majesty, the sublimity in things around us can never succumb to ennui: the feeling that one is tired of being, of existing, is usually the result of an idle Dand inactive leisure. Truth will never pall on someone who explores the world of nature, wearied as a person will be by the spurious things. Moreover, even if death is on the way with a summons for him, though it come all too early, though it cut him off in the prime of life, he has experienced every reward that the very longest life can offer, having gained extensive knowledge of the world we live in, having learnt that time adds nothing to the finer things in life. Whereas any life must needs seem short to people who measure it in terms of pleasures which through their empty nature are incapable of completeness.”

[Shriya V. Karnic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this a few hours ago and now the bittersweet feeling of finishing a great book hangs over me. This book was so full of wisdom, ebbing from every page, every line even.
It is a compass, a lighthouse, a friendly reminder, a stern warning.
Reminder to return to this book every year at least, and let Seneca be my mentor through the chaos and confusion of life.

[Paul Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took far too long to read this considering it’s only small. I enjoyed it and it was great for the realisation that life hadn’t actually changed all too much since Seneca first wrote this. However, that also means there was nothing too revolutionary in here. It’s full of good advice that’s certainly still applicable in the modern day though

[Harvey Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

very succinct, profound and (surprisingly) funny read. he lays out his points and thoughts very plainly and clearly. not a big reader of philosophy, but took a lot away from this one - and considering checking out more of his work

[Liam K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this in Rome on our honeymoon.

Felt like I was reading letters that Seneca had addressed to me. Funny in parts and never felt hard to get through. May have been written 2000 years ago but could've been yesterday.

[Milan Spasojevic · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourites. Full of great quotes and lines to weave into everyday life. It was a great accompaniment during my travels in Colombia, one of my favourite quotes was: “Anyone entering our homes should admire us rather than our furnishings.”

[Dieuw Roza · Rating 5 out of 5]

yes.

[&rea Suven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing is durable
Powerful.

[Ania Hollinshead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed certain parts, found others to be a bit of a task to get through. Overall, an interesting take and certainly worthwhile reading.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so much better than I imagined it would be. the fact that it's written in letter form is what made it so pleasant to read

[Link B · Rating 3 out of 5]

He did spit some facts but philosophy is just kinda boring.

[Gerard Hulsebos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old wisdom , very actual today

[Dennis 🐋🦈🦑 · Rating 5 out of 5]

until I understand philosophy better all these books are amazing

[Ivan Monckton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self-help from a Roman Classical philosopher.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little read to focus the mind on focusing the mind, being present, controlling reactions to circumstances etc.

[Rle]

Read to page 40 before gifting it to my eldest brother— Annotated and highlighted as an I love you

[Adam Pepper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short read, helped me through a tough time and will always go back to read a couple of chapters in the future.

[Reem Ayad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanna be this dude’s friend

[Francsonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

my second reading of the letters of Seneca felt very familiar even though I thought i had forgotten them.

[Dani]

„All this hurrying from place to place won‘t bring you any relief, for you‘re travelling in the company of your own emotions, followed by your troubles all the way“