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Seneca’s simple formula for happiness
I have a simple way to assess the soundness of philosophers and gurus. I just need to ask them one question: What is your formula for happiness? If they fail to give a convincing answer, I will immediately lose any interest in their doctrines. Seneca placed peace of mind at the centre of his philosophy.…
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Seneca on living without regrets
Living without regret is a crucial element of happiness, but it is easier said than done. Seneca devoted many pages to this subject because he was aware of the difficulty. It’s far from self-evident to let go of past mistakes, setbacks and defeats. Seneca devoted his essay “On Clemence” to praising the benefits of leniency…
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Seneca’s best advice on happiness
Although Seneca (4 BC-65 AD) never developed a solidly integrated philosophy of happiness, he did gain some insights that we can apply today. Those insights are based on common sense and have been proven true by the experience of twenty one centuries. Seneca noted that low-key, down-to-earth individuals tend to be happier than ultra-ambitious, bombastic,…
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Seneca on happiness
When it comes to happiness, I can summarise the ideas of Seneca (4 BC-65 AD) in a few words: On this subject, Seneca knew little, learned nothing, and could not care less. In fact, only his essay “On the Happy Life” revolves primarily around this goal, and the means to attain it. Am I being…
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Seneca’s errors about time management
Despite his remarkable philosophical and literary skills, the Roman author Seneca (4 BC-65 AD) made grievous mistakes in his approach to time management. I find it important to look at his mistakes because many people keep making those more than twenty centuries after Seneca’s death. What’s the underlying problem in Seneca’s errors about time management?…
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Seneca’s advice on time management
Frankly, I trust proven competent historical figures far more than I trust today’s gurus on self-development. Before adopting any advice, I want to see that it has worked for different people across the centuries. I want to see lots of evidence in favour. Seneca (4 BC – 65 AD) gained significant insights about time management…
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Seneca on time management
We tend to regard time management as a uniquely modern concept, but nothing could be further from the truth. The fact that our ancestors employed more primitive technology did not prevent them from pursuing personal effectiveness. Seneca was not an exception in this respect. After devoting years to philosophical research, he put his ideas down…
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Seneca’s key insight for overcoming stress
I have often observed that insouciant people seldom suffer from worry. They go about their business without thinking long of the consequences, accept setbacks philosophically, and keep trudging ahead despite criticism and opposition. Seneca did not regard insouciance as a valid philosophical stance because it reduces humans to a perceptual level. It makes humans prone…
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Why Seneca’s anti-stress methods still work today
For the most part, ancient techniques have become obsolete. We no longer use horses and triremes as our principal means of transportation. Neither do we build houses and roads according to the methods employed in Ancient Greece and Rome. However, we can still rely on anti-worry methods conceived by Seneca. Why have they remained effective?…
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Seneca’s methods for overcoming stress
More than two thousand years have passed since Seneca first defined his methods for overcoming anxiety, worry and other negative emotions. The context has changed, but his examples and recommendations remain valid. I am going to summarise those methods, sometimes quoting Seneca’s precise words and examples, and other times, putting the method in the context…
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