Seneca may not have been the great wise man that he depicts himself to be in his own writings. He may have created a false idealized persona, attempting to improve his remembered image. Despite this - if the thought is good and the writing inspires noble action, perhaps we can still glean some benefit from reading and considering. Improve ourselves to be closer to the ideal good person, even if Seneca himself fell short.
Seneca wrote many letters. Some are long, droning works. But others are insightful, wise, or inspiring! Here are some favourites.
Letter 4: On The Terrors Of Death
Most men ebb and flow in wretchedness between the fear of death and the hardships of life.
They are unwilling to live, and yet they do not know how to die.
For this reason … we must contemplate death and learn how to not be afraid.
Nothing can be lost with less discomfort than life, for when lost, it cannot be missed.
Letter 42: On Good Values
We stupidly hold that "buying" refers only to the objects for which we pay cash, and we regard as free gifts the things for which we spend our very selves.
These we should refuse to buy. But we are eager to attain them at the cost of anxiety, of danger, and of lost honour, personal freedom, and time.
Each man regards nothing as cheaper than himself!
Letter 36. On The Value Of Retirement
Do not let [famous] men persuade you that one who is besieged by the crowd is happy. They run to him as crowds rush for a pool of water, rendering it muddy while they drain it.
Letter 93. On The Quality - As Contrasted With The Length - Of Life
Death visits each and all; the slayer soon follows the slain. What difference does it make how soon you depart from a place which you must depart from sooner or later? What does it matter for how long a time you avoid that which you cannot escape?
We should strive not to live long, but to live rightly.
A long life spent in idleness has never truly lived. They have simply been a long time dying.
Let us see to it that our lives are like jewels of great price. Be noteworthy not because of their width but because of their weight. Let us measure them by their performance, not by their duration.
He who has attained wisdom has reached not the furthermost, but the most important goal. He has paid back a better life than he has received.