Philosophy
by Seneca
Where did today actually go?
Seneca had been Nero's tutor and adviser, and was one of the richest men in Rome. In his last years he wrote letters to his younger friend Lucilius, full of practical advice. He keeps coming back to time, the thing he thinks we're most careless with.
Hear a sample · read by Laura
Seneca tells Lucilius to take back his time. Some is snatched from us, some slips away, and most we simply waste, yet it's the one thing that's truly ours. We're dying a little every day, he adds, because the years behind us already belong to death.
Lucilius calls a man his friend, then warns Seneca not to discuss his affairs with him. Seneca pounces. Take a long time deciding whether someone is a friend, he says. Once you have decided, trust them completely and speak to them as freely as you would to yourself.
While Rome parties through the Saturnalia festival, Seneca, a very wealthy man, suggests setting aside a few days to live on the cheapest food and roughest clothes. Then ask yourself whether this is what you were so afraid of. It's a rehearsal, so the real thing can't frighten you.
Time
Guard your time. People who'd never hand over their money give away their hours without a thought.
Reading
Read a few good writers closely rather than skimming lots of them.
Friends
Think hard before you make someone a friend. Once you do, trust them fully.
Crowds
Crowds tend to make us worse. Spend your time with people who'll make you better.
Fear
Most of what we dread never happens, and the rest usually hurts less than we pictured.
A story from the book
At his country house, Seneca complains the building is crumbling. His bailiff says it isn't neglect. It's just old, and Seneca built it. Then a toothless old man at the door turns out to be Felicio, a boy Seneca once brought toys for. Seneca decides to enjoy old age.
Hot take · true or myth?
A Stoic can own fine things, as long as he isn't attached to them.
True. Seneca admires the person who uses earthenware as if it were silver, and just as much the one who uses silver as if it were earthenware.
One thing to try
Seneca admits he can't claim to waste no time, but he can say what he wasted and why. Try that for one day. Note what each hour went on, and circle the ones someone else took without you really agreeing. Tomorrow, take one of those hours back.
Knotd has the key ideas from 250+ non-fiction books, each in a few minutes, in plain words. Letters from a Stoic comes with a Hot Take round to make it stick.
Get the whole book on KnotdOpen in the appWhere did today actually go? Seneca had been Nero's tutor and adviser, and was one of the richest men in Rome. In his last years he wrote letters to his younger friend Lucilius, full of practical advice. He keeps coming back to time, the thing he thinks we're most careless with.
Time is all you own; Choose friends slowly; Rehearse being poor.
Seneca admits he can't claim to waste no time, but he can say what he wasted and why. Try that for one day. Note what each hour went on, and circle the ones someone else took without you really agreeing. Tomorrow, take one of those hours back.
Yes. Knotd has the key ideas from Letters from a Stoic in a few minutes, in plain words, plus a Hot Take round to test them. It's one of 250+ non-fiction books in the app.
