I am still pondering on the works and writing of Seneca with specific reference to Seneca’s Epistles, Volume 1, Epistle II. I will linger a bit longer on this phase of my pondering.
I will paraphrase his words with the following summary: “Linger among a limited number of masterthinkers, and digest their works, if you would derive ideas whch shall win firm hold in your mind. Wealth is to have what is necessary and to have what is enough. Each day acquire something that will fortify you against poverty.”
Seneca is not writing on wealth an poverty but rather on how we acquire knowledge. He is very much at odds with his advice with the current internet culture where there is such a bombardment of information. There is so much knowledge available that we give it a fleeting moment of attention before it is gone and forgotten. The stoics maintained that we must find somebody that inspires us and learn from that person. Here Seneca warns against the approach of rapid browsing and tweeting where we never give any teaching any real attention. More than ever it requires from us to be disciplined, to be selective when we study and learn from others. Our area of focus will determine our wealth in terms of knowledge and being. We must consitently judge what is necessary and enough. More is not by default better. We are cautioned not to skimp over information but rather seek a corpus of writing that inspire us and keep that which we value at the core of our reading and contemplation. Everyday we need to look for wisdom that will fortify against poverty in terms of knowledge and being.
zeal4living
Of the Stoics, I have always admired Epictetus over Seneca. I think he was more direct and cogent in his philosophy – though he was not, of course as elegant and flowery in his prose 😉
Also I have aways suspected that Seneca did not always practice what he preached.
The Stoics were important in developing the ideas of some kind of Universal Truth and Law as well as the benefits of living the Rational Life
You are not the only one that feels that way. It seems most people prefere Epictetus. For some reason however, I got stuck with Seneca to linger a bit longer on his words. There are several places where Seneca himself acknowledge that he is lacking in the application of Stocism. The stoic philosophy appeals to me in terms of my own search for Universal truth and the benefits of a rational and virtuous life. As usual thank you for making me think and giving me some useful thoughts to ponder.