Illuminating writings by Stoicism's most eloquent advocate, now with a new introduction'It is philosophy that has the duty of protecting us... without it no one can lead a life free of fear or worry'For several years of his turbulent life, in which he was dogged by ill health, exile and danger, Seneca was the guiding hand of the Roman Empire. This selection of Seneca's letters shows him upholding the ideals of Stoicism - the wisdom of the s...

A two-thousand year old classic that continues to find new fans in the digital age, On the Shortness of Life is a Stoic Philosophy masterpiece and, perhaps, the first and greatest of self-help books. Packed with pithy timeless wisdom, Seneca’s famous collection of letters to his father-in-law Paulinus is a short but powerful work, one of Western literature’s finest and most enduring answers to the eternal question, How should I best live my life?

Originally written around 49 AD for his father-in-law Paulinus, Seneca here brings up many Stoic principles on the nature of time, namely that people waste much of it in meaningless pursuits. According to Seneca, nature gives people enough time to do what is really important and it is up to the individual to allot it properly.

Seneca’s Letters are part of the foundation of Stoic thought making Seneca one of the indispensable thinkers from Ancient Roman philosophy. Although Stoicism is not now as widely practiced as it once was, many people can still find wisdom and inspiration through Seneca's words and letters.Like the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca’s Letters are a treasure of practical wisdom on how to live and enjoy life. The focus is on living a simple, stress-free ...

Living in Rome under Caligula and later a tutor to Nero, Seneca witnessed the extremes of human behaviour. His shocking and bloodthirsty plays not only reflect a brutal period of history but also show how guilt, sorrow, anger and desire lead individuals to violence. The hero of Hercules Insane saves his own family from slaughter, only to commit further atrocities when he goes mad. The horrifying death of Astyanax is recounted in Trojan Women, and Phaedra deals wi...

'You ask what is the proper measure of wealth? The best measure is to have what is necessary, and next best, to have enough. Keep well!' The letters written by the Stoic philosopher and tragedian Seneca to his friend Lucilius are in effect moral essays, whose purpose is to reinforce Lucilius' struggle to achieve wisdom and serenity, uninfluenced by worldly emotions. Seneca advises his friend on how to do without what is superfluous, whether on the subject of happiness, ric...

Timeless advice on the art of living well, from the celebrated Penguin Great Ideas seriesThe writings of the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca offer powerful insights into stoicism, morality and the importance of reason, and continue to provide profound guidance to many through their eloquence, lucidity and wisdom.Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate,...

'No man is crushed by misfortune unless he has first been deceived by prosperity.' In these dialogues and essays the Stoic philosopher Seneca outlines his thoughts on how to live in a troubled world. Tutor to the young emperor Nero, Seneca wrote exercises in practical philosophy that draw upon contemporary Roman life and illuminate the intellectual concerns of the day. They also have much to say to the modern reader, as Seneca ranges widely across subjects such as the shortness of life, tr...

"Anger," Seneca notes, "is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured."In "On Anger," Seneca delves into this powerful emotion, taking the reader on a journey that is both thoughtful and instructive. Rather than dismissing anger as an unchangeable part of the human condition, Seneca dissects it, laying bare its roots and exposing its many faces. From understanding its cause to l...

Stoic philosopher and tutor to the young emperor Nero, Seneca wrote moral dialogues - exercises in practical philosophy - on how to live in a troubled world. These essays are strikingly applicable today, as Seneca ranges widely across subjects such as the shortness of life, tranquility of mind, anger, mercy, happiness, and grief at the loss of a loved one.This superb volume offers the finest translation of Seneca's dialogues and essays, capturing the full range of his phil...

**Brought to you by Penguin.This Penguin Classic is performed by Julian Glover, Olivier Award winning actor, also known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Robin Campbell.**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. T...

In "On the Firmness of the Wise Man," Seneca the Younger explores the ideals of Stoic philosophy, particularly the concept of emotional resilience and inner fortitude amidst life's adversities. Written in a series of thoughtful essays, this work offers profound insights into the nature of virtue and the mental discipline necessary to achieve tranquility. Seneca employs a lucid, articulate prose style that is both philosophically rich and accessible, reflecting the intellectual milieu of fi...