🏛️ Sundays with Seneca
Sundays with Seneca is a weekly series exploring the writings (and Stoic philosophy) of Lucius Annaeus Seneca. Each meditation delivers a contemporary interpretation of one of Seneca’s letters, accompanied by a reflection exercise. *** This series is exclusive to members.
Why We Never Really Begin to Live
Letter 23, On the True Joy Which Comes from Philosophy
Do you think I am going to write about how mild the winter was, or how disagreeable the spring is, and all the trivialities people mention when they have nothing to say?
No. I will share something that can help both you and me.
What else should that be but an exhortation to soundness of mind? You ask, “What is the foundation of a sound mind?” It is this: not to find joy in useless things. I called it the foundation, but it is also the summit.
We have reached the heights when we know what we truly delight in, and when we have not placed our happiness under the control of external things. Whoever is driven on by hope for something—no matter how near, how easy, how often his hopes have come true—is still troubled and unsure of himself.
Above all, my dear Lucilius, make this your work: learn how to feel joy.
