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Seneca to Lucilius, 27: on the source of real joy
Seneca was one of the great Roman Stoics (together with Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus) of which we have substantial writings surviving. Near the end of his life he famously wrote a series of philosophical letters to his friend Lucilius, which the classic scholar Liz Gloyn has interpreted as a sort of informal curriculum to study Stoic theory and practice. I have been writing an occasional series commenting on most of the letters, highlighting the crucial passages and exploring their value — almost two thousand years later — for contemporary life. This next installment of the series concerns letter 27, where Seneca talks about the source of real joy and satisfaction.
It begins with a profession of humility that I find endearing:
“‘How is it that you are advising me?’ you say. ‘Have you already advised yourself? Have you got yourself straightened out? Is that why you have the time to correct others?’ I am not such a hypocrite as to offer cures while I am sick myself. No, I am lying in the same ward, as it were, conversing with you about our common ailment and sharing remedies. So listen to me as if I…
