Letters from a Stoic: Epistulae Morales Ad Lucilium (Classics S.)

I find the best way to read this is as a daily reader rather than cover to cover in a few sittings. Many of the topics require some time to consider, comprehend and realize. There are countless quotable lines and thoughts throughout the book. His writing and this translation is both clear and easy to understand. I will certainly read again and refer to it when appropriate.

I read this back in 1995 when I finished university and enjoyed readings Seneca's practical advice even though he sometimes sounded like my. I read these letters again with some more wisdom and really appreciated what Seneca was writing. This translation is easy to read and the introduction gives many insights into who Seneca was and the Stoic thinking and influence at that time. The advice Seneca gives would certainly benefit many modern readers today. For anyone who is interested in Stoicism or Roman history, this book is a good to help you understand Stoic thinking and practices.

I actually own this in paper Back, and had been waiting for it to come into the Kindle Edition. Like Tim Ferris of The Four Hour Work Week, I read it in the morning first thing to influence my mind set for the day. As with life, sometimes it is burning with insights and reminders. Other times it just plods. But I find it very informative with ideas on how to be a better person and to live better. Even though this Philospher had controversy about if he lived as he suggested one lives. This point and a brief history on him is given at the beginning of the book. My main issue with the Kindle Edition is that whoever at the Publishers converted it for Kindle Edition, didn't bother checking it out on a Kindle. Seems for some odd reason the text will inexplicably go from normal size to 1-2 sizes bigger for a few paragraphs and then go back to regular size. I compared some of the passages to the hard copy and there is no rhyme or reason for the text size change. Do get the book, the font change is a tad annoying, but nothing major and the book is still very readable.

Well worth the read to understand the stoic philosophy and broaden your points of learning as you seek truth, wisdom, and the good.

First and foremost, a great, readable translation. The book itself is amazing evidence of ancient wisdom. Giving us a glamp of what human nature was liking 2000 years ago, and 'modern problems', are not at all new. We can learn a great deal of lessons, not only by Seneca's wisdom, but also by the the fact that our day to day costumes are repeating the past, and have been already reviewed... Thousands of years ago.

I'm not looking to be a scholar on Seneca, only to cherry-pick some of his wisdom and move along to someone else. Seneca has a helpful philosophy about not borrowing troubles you don't have, fearlessly acknowledging your mortality, and selection of friends. All in all not bad, but I stopped reading it after the first 60 pages. The themes became repetitive and boring for me. Seneca's own philosophy advocated "not wasting time", I think he would have approved of my decision to put this book down when I did.

The Penguin Classics edition is shown, with translation by Robin Campbell. That's a selection of the letters, a five star volume and a bargain at the advertised price. But what's delivered is the three volume Richard Grummere translation, originally from the Loeb Classics. It, too, is a five star edition and a terrific bargain at the price. It includes all 124 letters. Amazon seems to be screwing up the Kindle books operation lately. If you want a very readable, representative selection of Seneca's letters, the Campbell edition serves very well. If you want the whole deal, with a more literal and heavily annotated translation geared for scholars, and if you like having subject matter titles for all the letters, Grummere's probably best.

The book is highly relateable, and you'll find yourself wondering how Seneca's observations and experiences didn't happen yesterday on the street, in your home, and at work, but rather all the way before Christianity itself. Just goes to show you that no one has a monopoly on morality and just how much moral doctrine is re-branded and made to look exclusive. Experience is experience, and wisdom wrought from it is not only the only valid wisdom but a shared human experience. This book is (largely) wisdom, sans mythology.

There’s a letter here for everyone. Good guides to help you find more meaning and live life more openly. Recommended.

So much value in only ~200 pages! Where to start? There is (1) timeless advice, (2) spiritual exercises, (3) delightful insight into Roman life. Extremely interesting and useful in my daily life, something I love to refer to when experiencing difficult moments or temptations.

I was able to learn a lot from this book! Must read for everybody who wants to better their mindset!

Wow. Just wow. It has precious advice. Easy to understand language. I got the kindle version and I read it every morning. Great advice from Seneca. Simply lovely bok to start reading if you are a beginner in philosophy.

Excellent raw stoicism in a timeless voice. Not overly academic or in any way unserious.