Category: Seneca
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Seneca on effectiveness
In history, few philosophers have proven qualified to speak about effectiveness. They were disqualified by their economic, professional and social failure, or by their sheer ignorance of practical matters. Seneca belongs to the opposite category. He is the archetype of the realistic, savvy, experienced thinker that has been everywhere and seen everything. The 118th Letter…
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Seneca’s reflections on personal growth
How can we grow in effectiveness and happiness? Is there a proven method we can use to improve our station in life? Can we rely on advice given by philosophers in previous centuries? Seneca was already aware of those questions when he wrote his Letters to Lucilius. His answers are concrete and coherent, and have…
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Seneca’s misconceptions about mental strength
It’s useless to be strong in situations where strength plays no meaningful role. Will mental strength alone help you achieve your business, professional and social goals? Will it render you healthier and happier? I very much doubt it. Seneca viewed mental strength as the answer to all questions. How do we minimize trouble in life?…
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Seneca’s thoughts on mental strength
Stoicism is the only philosophy that aims at increasing one’s mental strength. Its founders, Zeno of Citium (334-262 BC) and Cleanthes (330-230 BC) devoted more efforts to avoiding emotional misery than to achieving success and happiness. Seneca followed the line of thought of his predecessors, but his recommendations are more subtle. It’s not hard to…
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Seneca’s formula for avoiding distractions
We could save an enormous amount of time if we figured out how to remain focused on our goals. Even for motivated people, it is difficult to keep going day after day without getting sidetracked. Seneca came up with a powerful formula for avoiding distractions. In history, many people have put it into practice successfully.…
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Seneca on avoiding distractions
When we talk about avoiding distractions, we are assuming that we have clear goals and plans to achieve them. If we keep pursuing those goals assiduously, we are on the right track, but if we get sidetracked, it is because we are getting distracted. Seneca addressed this subject in the 1st Letter to Lucilius, in…
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How Seneca viewed time
In contrast to modern philosophers, Seneca did not give a great importance to time. Like other Stoic thinkers, he did not fundamentally care whether his life was long or short. Seneca’s view of time is worth studying because it helps us understand key concepts of Stoicism. In his 49th and 101st Letters to Lucilius, Seneca…
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Seneca on the best use of time
I love ancient time management techniques because they do not rely on technology. They revolve around human nature and the concentration of one’s efforts; and their advice can be put into practice right away. In his Letters to Lucilius, Seneca made recommendations on time management, especially in the 47th and 101st Letters. His advice can…
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Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic, explained
Amongst all Stoic philosophers, Seneca has attained the widest reach and popularity. The reason is not hard to figure out. He simply wrote more and better than all others put together. Seneca devoted more than two decades of his life to writing. At the beginning, he wrote plays for the theatre, tragedies, that don’t deserve…
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Seneca’s thoughts on self-reliance
In history, the concept of self-reliance developed in parallel to the concept of individuality. In the absence of autonomy, we cannot speak of self-reliance. In the absence of personal assets, there is no room for deploying them effectively. The Stoics, Zeno, Cleanthes, Chrysippus, and Seneca, were the first philosophers to underline the importance of individual…
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