Letters from a Stoic: The Ancient Classic(Capstone Classics)

DISCOVER THE ENDURING LEGACY OF ANCIENT STOICISM Since Roman antiquity, Lucius Annaeus Seneca’s Letters have been one of the greatest expressions of Stoic philosophy. In a highly accessible and timeless way, Seneca reveals the importance of cultivating virtue and the fleeting nature of time, and how being clear sighted about death allows us to live a life of meaning and contentment. Letters from a Stoic continues to fascinate and inspire new generations of readers, including those interested in mindfulness and psychological techniques for well-being. This deluxe hardback selected edition includes Seneca’s first 65 letters from the Richard M. Gummere translation.  An insightful introduction by Donald Robertson traces Seneca’s busy life at the centre of Roman power, explores how he reconciled his Stoic outlook with vast personal wealth, and highlights Seneca’s relevance for the modern reader.

Table of Contents:
An Introduction ix About Donald Robertson xxxiii About Tom Butler-Bowdon xxxiv Chapter One On the Use of Time 1 Chapter Two On Discursiveness in Reading 5 Chapter Three On True and False Friendship 9 Chapter Four On the Terrors of Death 13 Chapter Five On the Philosopher’s Mean 19 Chapter Six On Sharing Knowledge 23 Chapter Seven On Crowds 27 Chapter Eight On the Philosopher’s Seclusion 33 Chapter Nine On Philosophy and Friendship 39 Chapter Ten On Living to Oneself 49 Chapter Eleven On the Blush of Modesty 53 Chapter Twelve On Old Age 57 Chapter Thirteen On Groundless Fears 63 Chapter Fourteen On the Reasons for Withdrawing from the World 71 Chapter Fifteen On Brawn and Brains 79 Chapter Sixteen On Philosophy, the Guide of Life 85 Chapter Seventeen On Philosophy and Riches 91 Chapter Eighteen On Festivals and Fasting 97 Chapter Nineteen On Worldliness and Retirement 105 Chapter Twenty On Practising What You Preach 113 Chapter Twenty One On the Renown Which My Writings May Bring You 119 Chapter Twenty Two On the Futility of Half-Way Measures 125 Chapter Twenty Three On the True Joy Which Comes from Philosophy 133 Chapter Twenty Four On Despising Death 139 Chapter Twenty Five On Reformation 151 Chapter Twenty Six On Old Age and Death 155 Chapter Twenty Seven On the Good Which Abides 161 Chapter Twenty Eight On Travel as a Cure for Discontent 167 Chapter Twenty Nine On the Critical Condition of Marcellinus 171 Chapter Thirty On Conquering the Conqueror 177 Chapter Thirty One On Siren Songs 185 Chapter Thirty Two On Progress 191 Chapter Thirty Three On the Futility of Learning Maxims 195 Chapter Thirty Four On a Promising Pupil 201 Chapter Thirty Five On the Friendship of Kindred Minds 203 Chapter Thirty Six On the Value of Retirement 207 Chapter Thirty Seven On Allegiance to Virtue 213 Chapter Thirty Eight On Quiet Conversation 217 Chapter Thirty Nine On Noble Aspirations 219 Chapter Forty On the Proper Style for a Philosopher’s Discourse 223 Chapter Forty One On the God Within Us 231 Chapter Forty Two On Values 237 Chapter Forty Three On the Relativity of Fame 241 Chapter Forty Four On Philosophy and Pedigrees 243 Chapter Forty Five On Sophistical Argumentation 247 Chapter Forty Six On a New Book by Lucilius 253 Chapter Forty Seven On Master and Slave 255 Chapter Forty Eight On Quibbling as Unworthy of the Philosopher 265 Chapter Forty Nine On the Shortness of Life 273 Chapter Fifty On Our Blindness and Its Cure 279 Chapter Fifty One On Baiae and Morals 283 Chapter Fifty Two On Choosing Our Teachers 289 Chapter Fifty Three On the Faults of the Spirit 297 Chapter Fifty Four On Asthma and Death 303 Chapter Fifty Five On Vatia’s Villa 307 Chapter Fifty Six On Quiet and Study 313 Chapter Fifty Seven On the Trials of Travel 321 Chapter Fifty Eight On Being 325 Chapter Fifty Nine On Pleasure and Joy 341 Chapter Sixty On Harmful Prayers 351 Chapter Sixty One On Meeting Death Cheerfully 353 Chapter Sixty Two On Good Company 355 Chapter Sixty Three On Grief for Lost Friends 357 Chapter Sixty Four On the Philosopher’s Task 365 Chapter Sixty Five On the First Cause 371