Lucius Annaeus Seneca or “Seneca the Younger” was born over 2000 years ago in southern Spain. He was educated in rhetoric and philosophy in Rome. A considerable amount of his work remains for us to study today. He wrote in Latin and makes a lasting contribution to Stoicism.
He has a mixed reputation. On one hand, he could be considered a philosopher, who has written practical and timeless wisdom. His thoughts influenced many historical figures such as Pascal, Francis Bacon and Montaigne etc. On the other hand, there is the incongruity between his principles and his life. For example, his association with Nero, who would go on to become one of the most tyrannical emperors. Seneca was tutor to Nero; this fact caused many people to charge Seneca with hypocrisy.
Not surprisingly, Seneca’s wealth largely came during the reign of Nero. However, later Nero thought that Seneca was plotting to overthrow him, for which he ordered to kill him. In the end, Seneca killed himself.
Throughout all his life, Stoicism remained a constant in his life. Nonetheless, Seneca did not confine himself to Stoicism only. He borrowed liberally from other school of thoughts also, as we see him cite Epicurus on several occasions in his writings.
Seneca, and other famous stoics, such as Marcus Aurelius, used philosophy to live through the ups and downs of their life. There are many lessons that we can draw from these timeless works which are still as valid.
Seneca Quotes
Here are some of our favourite quotes from Seneca. Hopefully, they will inspire you to dig deeper in his work and mind of this great thinker.
We are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not Ill-supplied but wasteful of it.
A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.
He suffers more than necessary, who suffers before it is necessary.
The man who has anticipated the coming of troubles takes away their power when they arrive.
He who fears death will never do anything worthy of a man who is alive.