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1-Page Summary of Letters From A Stoic
Overview
Letters from a Stoic were written almost 2000 years ago. However, they are still as relevant today as when they were first written. In fact, the book is similar to modern self-help books because it emphasizes how we can improve ourselves by changing our thoughts and actions.
Seneca’s concern is to help his readers live the good life. He feels that we are beset by frailty, subject to unpredictable fates and face the inevitability of death. Seneca recommends simple living in harmony with nature, which can be achieved by following a series of actionable insights that will lead us onto the right path of reflection and inner peace.
In this passage, you will learn the importance of selecting your friends wisely and how to remain calm in a crisis.
Big Idea #1: True wisdom is knowing how to live a simple life in accordance with nature.
Imagine walking through a forest with tall trees blocking out the light, or climbing into a cave that no human could have made. We feel awe because we realize how much work was put into creating this beauty. The divine is all around us and within each of us as well. Our souls are part of divinity, but they aren’t truly ours; just like the sunlight belongs to the sun in space, our souls belong to divinity itself.
Because they’re not ours, we can’t work on our souls. However, we can work on the mind because it’s unique and differentiates us from animals. We should devote ourselves to honing and perfecting this part of ourselves because it makes us special compared to others in society. It deserves our attention and labor.
The goal of life is to be wise. To be wise, we must live as nature intended us to and strive to stay true to that intention. In this way, wisdom allows us to see the natural cycle of life in which loss and death are inevitable.
Studying is the best way to learn. However, it’s not necessary to lock yourself in a library and read as many books as possible. All you need is a little time every day and some work on your part.
In order to attain wisdom, you need to study nature and the environment. This will require some effort on your part, but it’s worth it because living in harmony with nature is the only truly rational decision.
Big Idea #2: Philosophy is the key that unlocks wisdom and happiness.
Philosophy is the study of truth in the world that surrounds us and the divine. It helps us see things clearly, which allows us to make better decisions about how we should live our lives. For example, when we think philosophically, we realize that death is an integral part of nature. So there’s no reason to fear it. Or consider drunkenness and wealth—philosophically speaking, they’re only temporary moments; therefore there’s no need to pursue them with such fervor.
Seneca thought it was important to look at the world rationally because that would help us attune ourselves to nature. This would make us happy, which is what Seneca wanted for everyone. He compared philosophy to technology, an area in which humans are very ingenious and can create beautiful dwellings with stunning floors.
But what does that really mean? Sure, you’ll have a nice banquet hall for hosting guests. But do you need it since we know of tribes who find shelter in simple pits dug directly into the ground and they’re not unhappy about it? They appreciate what they have even though it might seem like very little when compared to a palace.
We don’t need luxury to find shelter. There are many other things we don’t need to be happy. Philosophy teaches us this lesson, just as it teaches us that there’s a lot more to life than the material world.
