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Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers
How to Give: An Ancient Guide to Giving and Receiving
Timeless wisdom on generosity and gratitude from the great Stoic philosopher Seneca
To give and receive well may be the most human thing you can do--but it is also the closest you can come to divinity. So argues the great Roman Stoic thinker Seneca (c. 4 BCE-65 CE) in his longest and most searching moral treatise, "On Benefits" (De Beneficiis). James Romm's splendid new translation of essential selections from this work conveys the heart of Seneca's argument that generosity and gratitude are among the most important of all virtues.
For Seneca, the impulse to give to others lies at the very foundation of society; without it, we are helpless creatures, worse than wild beasts. But generosity did not arise randomly or by chance. Seneca sees it as part of our desire to emulate the gods, whose creation of the earth and heavens stands as the greatest gift of all. Seneca's soaring prose captures his wonder at that gift, and expresses a profound sense of gratitude that will inspire today's readers.
Complete with an enlightening introduction and the original Latin on facing pages, How to Give is a timeless guide to the profound significance of true generosity.
To give and receive well may be the most human thing you can do--but it is also the closest you can come to divinity. So argues the great Roman Stoic thinker Seneca (c. 4 BCE-65 CE) in his longest and most searching moral treatise, "On Benefits" (De Beneficiis). James Romm's splendid new translation of essential selections from this work conveys the heart of Seneca's argument that generosity and gratitude are among the most important of all virtues.
For Seneca, the impulse to give to others lies at the very foundation of society; without it, we are helpless creatures, worse than wild beasts. But generosity did not arise randomly or by chance. Seneca sees it as part of our desire to emulate the gods, whose creation of the earth and heavens stands as the greatest gift of all. Seneca's soaring prose captures his wonder at that gift, and expresses a profound sense of gratitude that will inspire today's readers.
Complete with an enlightening introduction and the original Latin on facing pages, How to Give is a timeless guide to the profound significance of true generosity.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 60
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About the author
Seneca
2,709 books3,891 followersLucius 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.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 24, 2023
How to Give is James Romm's translation of parts of a classic Stoic text, Seneca's On Benefit. And it is well worth the read. "Benefits," in Seneca's parlance, are a wide variety of gifts that we give to or receive from others, which may include objects, money, or favors. Gifting each other is, Seneca argues, a major component of the fabric of society. It elicits generosity (on the part of the giver) and gratitude (on the part of the receiver). But we have to know how to do it properly, both when we give and when we receive. To give something to someone because we expect something in return, or because we want them to be beholden to us, is not providing a benefit, it is to enter into a contract. Then again, to be ungrateful to someone who bestows a benefit on us is one of the least honorable things we can do as human beings. Benefiting others in the way Seneca conceives is a virtuous act, and so is to be grateful to someone. Therefore, such an act or attitude is immediately good for our own character, whether the gift is appreciated or not, whether it is reciprocated or not. This is a rather unusual book for modern readers, but as the title of the University of Princeton Press's collection of which it is an entry explicitly suggests, modern readers could benefit from some ancient wisdom.
February 22, 2023
On Benefits" by Seneca is a powerful reflection on the nature of giving and gratitude, and the ways in which these practices can help us to find deeper meaning and purpose in our lives. Here are some of my key takeaways from the book:
Types of Benefits:
1. Necessary benefits: those that provide for basic needs, such as food, shelter, or medical care. Seneca argues that providing these types of benefits is a moral duty, and that we should be willing to give them freely and without expectation of reward.
2. Appreciated benefits: those that are not necessary, but that are greatly appreciated by the person receiving them. Seneca suggests that giving these types of benefits can help to build strong relationships and foster a sense of goodwill and mutual respect.
3. Harmful benefits: those that are not needed or desired by the person receiving them, and may even be harmful. Seneca cautions against giving these types of benefits, which can actually create resentment or ill will, rather than gratitude.
Reasons for Giving Benefits:
1. Moral duty: providing necessary benefits is a moral duty, and we should be willing to give them freely and without expectation of reward.
2. Building relationships: giving appreciated benefits can help to build strong relationships and foster a sense of goodwill and mutual respect.
3. Expressing values: giving benefits is a way of expressing our deepest values and commitments, rather than as a means of gaining something for ourselves. Seneca saw giving as a way of imitating the divine, who gives freely and without expectation of reward.
Seneca's Belief in God and Benefits:
Seneca was a believer in God, and he saw the practice of giving benefits as a way of imitating the divine. In his view, God gives freely and without expectation of reward, and we should strive to do the same. Seneca argued that when we give benefits, we are expressing our gratitude to God for all that we have received, and that this practice can help us to cultivate a deeper sense of connection and purpose in our lives.
On being forced to give someone something:
Seneca argues that giving under compulsion does not count as a benefit, because it is not given willingly or with a spirit of generosity. Instead, he suggests that true giving requires a willing and cheerful attitude, and that the giver should not feel coerced or resentful about giving.
Seneca believes that giving should be a voluntary act of kindness, rather than a grudging obligation. This is because giving can be an opportunity for personal growth and spiritual development, as it allows us to cultivate virtues like gratitude, generosity, and compassion.
By giving freely and joyfully, we become more fully human and more connected to the world around us.
My question to you as a reader is how does all of this translate in a society that expects you to give out of obligations?
Types of Benefits:
1. Necessary benefits: those that provide for basic needs, such as food, shelter, or medical care. Seneca argues that providing these types of benefits is a moral duty, and that we should be willing to give them freely and without expectation of reward.
2. Appreciated benefits: those that are not necessary, but that are greatly appreciated by the person receiving them. Seneca suggests that giving these types of benefits can help to build strong relationships and foster a sense of goodwill and mutual respect.
3. Harmful benefits: those that are not needed or desired by the person receiving them, and may even be harmful. Seneca cautions against giving these types of benefits, which can actually create resentment or ill will, rather than gratitude.
Reasons for Giving Benefits:
1. Moral duty: providing necessary benefits is a moral duty, and we should be willing to give them freely and without expectation of reward.
2. Building relationships: giving appreciated benefits can help to build strong relationships and foster a sense of goodwill and mutual respect.
3. Expressing values: giving benefits is a way of expressing our deepest values and commitments, rather than as a means of gaining something for ourselves. Seneca saw giving as a way of imitating the divine, who gives freely and without expectation of reward.
Seneca's Belief in God and Benefits:
Seneca was a believer in God, and he saw the practice of giving benefits as a way of imitating the divine. In his view, God gives freely and without expectation of reward, and we should strive to do the same. Seneca argued that when we give benefits, we are expressing our gratitude to God for all that we have received, and that this practice can help us to cultivate a deeper sense of connection and purpose in our lives.
On being forced to give someone something:
Seneca argues that giving under compulsion does not count as a benefit, because it is not given willingly or with a spirit of generosity. Instead, he suggests that true giving requires a willing and cheerful attitude, and that the giver should not feel coerced or resentful about giving.
Seneca believes that giving should be a voluntary act of kindness, rather than a grudging obligation. This is because giving can be an opportunity for personal growth and spiritual development, as it allows us to cultivate virtues like gratitude, generosity, and compassion.
By giving freely and joyfully, we become more fully human and more connected to the world around us.
My question to you as a reader is how does all of this translate in a society that expects you to give out of obligations?
November 1, 2020
A great book with awesome passages on the art of giving with a vivid translation, really enjoyed it! As always, great work by James Romm.
March 11, 2023
To give but expect in return is a total loss
July 2, 2024
Creo que es mi libro favorito de filosofía. Seneca tiene una moral y una ética en mi opinión es más que superior. Es un libro que me ha hecho ser mejor persona en cualquier ámbito, me lo he leído 2 veces, es corto y fácil de entender si estás empezando a leer filosofía.
December 29, 2025
“nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart” ♥️
February 25, 2021
A wonderful little book, and my first taste of the philosophies of Seneca. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
"A man is ungrateful in the face of the first benefit? He won’t be in the face of the second. Has he forgotten them both? The third will remind him of those he let slip. Besiege him with your benefits."
<3
"A man is ungrateful in the face of the first benefit? He won’t be in the face of the second. Has he forgotten them both? The third will remind him of those he let slip. Besiege him with your benefits."
<3
July 17, 2024
I sure enjoy the ancient wisdom series from Princeton Press. You get scholars that take classical texts and combine them with themes to help readers make connections to ancient wisdom. This is the fourth I’ve read in the series and will take on more! Excellent translations and introductions.
March 24, 2022
Lo leí en un par de días. Lo disfruté mucho, es conciso y muy claro. Lo recomiendo para quién esté comenzando a leer sobre filosofía/estoicismo.
November 19, 2024
With apologies to Lucius Annaeus Seneca, this re-packaging of his nigh 2000yo book 'De Beneficiis' generally misfires. This is not to specifically criticise the thinking of the long-revered Roman stoic philosopher, but rather the attempt to cherry-pick the larger work to make a more palatable and 21c friendly version. The result is disjointed, and at times scans as an attempt to create 'inspo' and cash-in on the copyright free availability of 'ancient wisdom'. However, the shortfalls are not all due to editing and re-branding. In truth, Seneca's insights are not that startling. Moreover, he makes a number of assumptions that no longer fly. That said, his vision is largely a grounded and humble one. It also avoids the popular temptations of narrow certainty. 'On Benefits' presents the case for giving, and for doing gratitude, balance and virtue for their own sake, as opposed to acting in search of reward (benefits). The unintended consequence here is that the newly published skin smells a little too much like wrapping paper, thereby reducing wisdom to yet another gift idea. The inherent irony is indeed eyebrow raising.
February 3, 2024
Like most ancient sources of this type, is a collection of letters written by the famous individual going by the name of Seneca. None of this is intended to be one singular monologue about the act of giving.
It is intended to be a guide on how to give, when to give, and who to give to. The act of giving to Seneca, is not just simply about the giving. It is about why you gave to them and who you gave it to. Seneca is a big believer in giving for genuine reasons. Even going as far as stating that it is not a true gift if you expect a gift in return later; even calling you an engrate if you do this. Rather tough man do please, but I can get where he's coming from in that regard.
I for one, really enjoyed this short book. I'm on a kick for philosophy lately and I intend to continue this.
It is intended to be a guide on how to give, when to give, and who to give to. The act of giving to Seneca, is not just simply about the giving. It is about why you gave to them and who you gave it to. Seneca is a big believer in giving for genuine reasons. Even going as far as stating that it is not a true gift if you expect a gift in return later; even calling you an engrate if you do this. Rather tough man do please, but I can get where he's coming from in that regard.
I for one, really enjoyed this short book. I'm on a kick for philosophy lately and I intend to continue this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2024
Not a certified banger such as "Letters from a Stoic", but absolutely a delightful read. Good insight in certain aspects of gratitude, though a selection of arguments rely too heavily on emulating the Gods or their plans. In this sense, it's a bit too Epictet-y for my taste.
March 11, 2024
Claramente los libros de Séneca de esta colección son los mejores. Tienen sentido lógico y aportan algo novedoso.
No deja de sentirse como un libro de autoayuda mejor reflexionado, y a veces se contradice, aún así muy buena lectura para el día a día.
No deja de sentirse como un libro de autoayuda mejor reflexionado, y a veces se contradice, aún así muy buena lectura para el día a día.
December 6, 2020
Reviewing for the editorial and translation work, which is excellent, as in the rest of the series.
July 28, 2021
I learned some new info about the life of Seneca, but his advice on giving and receiving are now such intrinsic parts of our culture that only the worst people don't already know this stuff.
April 24, 2023
Great read, I love the classics
Insightful and thought-provoking
This book really made me rethink and gave me a fresh perspective on the arts the gratitude and generosity
Insightful and thought-provoking
This book really made me rethink and gave me a fresh perspective on the arts the gratitude and generosity
June 2, 2023
Never a bad idea to read more Seneca
May 27, 2024
Thank you Brandon for this book!
February 9, 2025
Actually cool to see everything explained in that way
April 11, 2025
Seneca tells us that giving is tricky and that gifts have to be given carefully.
December 5, 2025
Me encanta lo práctico y “ a la mano” que da la información. Es para leer y releer para vivirlo.
August 8, 2023
Es un buen libro en cuanto que te hace reflexionar sobre la motivación que puede tener uno para regalar y si esta es correcta. Acude a los dioses en busqueda de referencia pero no se lo justifica todo en ello
May 20, 2025
Me gustó, por dos motivos: uno, porque enaltece el valor de la comunidad por cuanto somos seres vulnerables y debemos ayudarnos, cómo bien dice Seneca, las buenas acciones nos protegen de los infortunios del futuro. Segundo, me gusto el lado místico que propone respecto a la gratitud.
Sobre dios o la naturaleza que vendría a ser lo mismo nos dice "Si alguien te cediera una hectárea de terreno, dirías que te ha hecho un regalo ¿Cómo es entonces que nos ves un regalo en la tierra entera , ancha y vasta que dios te ha puesto por delante? Si alguien colmara tus arcas de dinero, lo considerarías una bendición, tal es la es la importancia que concedes al dinero. ¿Cómo es entonces que te niegas a ver una bendición en el hecho de que dios haya llenado el mundo de metales preciosos, de ríos que fluyen desde el subsuelo portando oro entre sus ondas, de que haya enterrado enormes cantidades de plata, cobre y hierro, distribuyendo por la superficie signos que indican las riquezas que yacen en su interior y, lo que es mas te haya conferido la capacidad de encontrarlos? Si alguien te donara una mansión de mármol reluciente, con techos de oro, y rica y colorida decoración, lo considerarías un gran favor ¿Cómo es que no ves que dios ha levantado para ti una morada enorme que no se incendia ni se derrumba..... ¿De donde donde procede el aire que respiras y la rauda sangre que te mantiene con vida?¿De donde proceden los alimentos que te deleitan el paladar con sus exóticos sabores aunque esta ya ahíto? ¿De donde procede esa calma en la languideces y te degradas? en fin, más allá de la creencia que se pueda tener de dios, Seneca dice que hay una razón que gobierna el universo y, eso es ya una razón suficiente para comenzar a dar sentido. Cuanta belleza por la que debiéramos sentir gratitud.
Otro aspecto importante sobre la actitud del dar y el recibir, está dado porque a causa del ego no comprendemos el don de dar y recibir, ¿si no amamos al ser humano como es que daremos y sentiremos gratitud genuinamente?
Hay que saber agradecer y recordar lo que nos conceden. Amor al destino
Sobre dios o la naturaleza que vendría a ser lo mismo nos dice "Si alguien te cediera una hectárea de terreno, dirías que te ha hecho un regalo ¿Cómo es entonces que nos ves un regalo en la tierra entera , ancha y vasta que dios te ha puesto por delante? Si alguien colmara tus arcas de dinero, lo considerarías una bendición, tal es la es la importancia que concedes al dinero. ¿Cómo es entonces que te niegas a ver una bendición en el hecho de que dios haya llenado el mundo de metales preciosos, de ríos que fluyen desde el subsuelo portando oro entre sus ondas, de que haya enterrado enormes cantidades de plata, cobre y hierro, distribuyendo por la superficie signos que indican las riquezas que yacen en su interior y, lo que es mas te haya conferido la capacidad de encontrarlos? Si alguien te donara una mansión de mármol reluciente, con techos de oro, y rica y colorida decoración, lo considerarías un gran favor ¿Cómo es que no ves que dios ha levantado para ti una morada enorme que no se incendia ni se derrumba..... ¿De donde donde procede el aire que respiras y la rauda sangre que te mantiene con vida?¿De donde proceden los alimentos que te deleitan el paladar con sus exóticos sabores aunque esta ya ahíto? ¿De donde procede esa calma en la languideces y te degradas? en fin, más allá de la creencia que se pueda tener de dios, Seneca dice que hay una razón que gobierna el universo y, eso es ya una razón suficiente para comenzar a dar sentido. Cuanta belleza por la que debiéramos sentir gratitud.
Otro aspecto importante sobre la actitud del dar y el recibir, está dado porque a causa del ego no comprendemos el don de dar y recibir, ¿si no amamos al ser humano como es que daremos y sentiremos gratitud genuinamente?
Hay que saber agradecer y recordar lo que nos conceden. Amor al destino
January 28, 2023
Un manual que defiende la importancia de ser generoso y mostrar gratitud, a pesar de todos los inconvenientes y de la extendida presencia de personas ingratas. Es un resumen de los libros que Seneca escribió al respecto (De Beneficiis). A veces la expresión se hace algo oscura pero se encuentran con facilidad perlas de pura sabiduría.
September 11, 2022
Breve explicación y extracto del texto de Séneca.
No profundiza, pero comparte líneas interesantes sobre la ideología, los pensamientos de Séneca sobre la generosidad.
Lectura rápida, ideal para un vuelo.
No profundiza, pero comparte líneas interesantes sobre la ideología, los pensamientos de Séneca sobre la generosidad.
Lectura rápida, ideal para un vuelo.
November 25, 2025
No se si leería algo más de Seneca, me queda claro por la época en que se escribió el por qué de cómo está escrito. Están interesantes sus ideas pero al final muy utópicas (para mi)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews