Tag: biography
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Lao-Tzu’s biography
There is only one thing we know for sure about Lao-Tzu: that the anecdotes about his life are very cool. They are in fact so cool that they seem borderline incredible. Nonetheless, they are worth retelling because they mirror his insights, and those possess crucial importance. Lao-Tzu lived in China in the 6th century BC…
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Philosophical lessons from Seneca’s life (Part 4)
When a philosopher spends his life telling others what to do, it’s fair to ask if his own life has been a success. In the case of Seneca, the fact that he committed suicide at sixty-nine makes it hard to categorize his life as success. Emperor Nero had decided Seneca’s execution, but giving him first…
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Philosophical lessons from Seneca’s life (Part 3)
It frequently happens that individuals will criticise someone else’s mistakes more readily than they will admit their own. We all find our own psychological defences hard to overcome and Seneca was the paramount example. When he became tutor to Nero, the future Roman Emperor, it didn’t take long for Seneca to realize that Nero was…
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Philosophical lessons from Seneca’s life (Part 2)
Due to the edict issued by Emperor Claudius, Seneca spent eight years in exile in Corsica. His property, family and friends had remained in Rome. Since the imperial edict had not specified the length of the exile, Seneca believed that he would have to stay in Corsica for the rest of his life. When Seneca…
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Philosophical lessons from Seneca’s life (Part 1)
When analysing the insights of great philosophers, I love to look at their biographies and see the practical implications. Do their biographies reflect the benefits of their insights? Did their choices prove particularly perceptive and clever? Seneca (4 BC-65 AD) passed the biography test with flight colours. His choices mirrored his philosophy and all his…
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Tradition versus change in Michel de Montaigne
I view Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) as one of the most realistic philosophers in history. He was remarkably talented at analysing problems, reviewing possible solutions, discarding the unworkable, and selecting the most promising amongst the rest. Let me underline the step “discarding the unworkable.” It is something that most philosophers forget to do. They will…
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Michel de Montaigne’s biography: literary hints and clues
In literary criticism, there is a current that regards all works of literature as autobiographical, even when the author had no intention of speaking about his own life and circumstances. The underlying idea is that, when authors write, they cannot avoid revealing their views and personal history, their traumas and pressing concerns. Consciously or unconsciously,…
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Michel de Montaigne’s biography (5 of 5): joy until the last minute
Some people are so afraid of dying that they waste hundreds of hours trying to protect themselves against the normal risks of life. They fear catching the flu, falling from their bicycle, or eating too much meat; as a result, they restrain their lifestyle in the vain hope of living a little bit longer. Michel…
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Michel de Montaigne’s biography (4 of 5): the pinnacle years
When things are falling apart and everything seems lost, we might just as well enjoy ourselves. Once we realize that our days are counted, there is little reason for stress. Every day that is left can deliver exhilaration and happiness On his fifty-second birthday, Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) must have come to that conclusion. He…
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Michel de Montaigne’s biography (3 of 5): dealing with chronic illness
People always show their true colours in times of crisis. We can then recognize our true friends, true priorities, and the best and worst parts of our own character. Hardship makes the hero come forth, while the cowards sink into misery. Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) faced the hardest period in his life precisely when he…
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