Delve into the profound insights of Seneca in 'Letters from a Stoic,' a collection of philosophical letters that illuminate the art of Stoicism. Each letter serves as a guide to navigating the complexities of life, offering wisdom on virtue, resilience, and the fleeting nature of time. Seneca's candid reflections challenge readers to confront their own anxieties and desires, encouraging a life of inner peace and moral clarity. With timeless relevance, these letters resonate with anyone seeking solace in a tumultuous world. Are you ready to embrace the stoic path and transform your perspective on life's challenges?
By Seneca
Published: 2015
"It's not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor."
A new series of beautiful hardcover nonfiction classics, with covers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith World-changing ideas meet eye-catching design: the best titles of the extraordinarily successful Great Ideas series are now packaged in Coralie Bickford-Smith’s distinctive, award-winning covers. Whether on a well-curated shelf or in your back pocket, these timeless works of philosophical, political, and psychological thought are absolute must-haves for book collectors as well as design enthusiasts. A philosophy that saw self-possession as the key to an existence lived "in accordance with nature," Stoicism called for the restraint of animal instincts and the severing of emotional ties. These beliefs were formulated by the Athenian followers of Zeno in the fourth century BC, but it was in Seneca that the Stoics found their most eloquent advocate. Stoicism, as expressed in the Letters, helped ease pagan Rome's transition to Christianity, for it upholds upright ethical ideals and extols virtuous living, as well as expressing disgust for the harsh treatment of slaves and the inhumane slaughter witnessed in the Roman arenas. Seneca's major contribution to a seemingly unsympathetic creed was to transform it into a powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind. Robin Campbell's distinguished translation captures Seneca's humour and concise, memorable aphorisms and his introduction discusses the tensions between Seneca's philosophy and his turbulent career as adviser to the tyrannical emperor Nero. For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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“It's not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.”
Letters from a Stoic
By Seneca
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Lucius Annaeus Seneca, commonly known as Seneca the Younger, was a Stoic philosopher, statesman, and playwright from ancient Rome, born around 4 BC and died AD 65. He is best known for his contributions to Stoic philosophy, particularly through his essays and letters that emphasize ethics, moral integrity, and the pursuit of wisdom. Notable works include "Letters to Lucilius," a collection of moral epistles that address various philosophical topics, and tragedies such as "Phaedra," "Thyestes," and "Medea," which explore themes of human emotion and fate. Seneca's writing style is characterized by its rhetorical elegance, brevity, and depth, making profound philosophical concepts accessible to readers. His influence extends beyond philosophy to literature, having inspired countless writers and thinkers throughout history.
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