Who Was Seneca?
“It is not the man who has little, but he who desires more, that is poor.”
Seneca, born into affluence as a second son, had a father renowned in Rome for his rhetoric teachings. Under the guidance of an aunt, young Seneca moved to Rome where he received his education in Philosophy and oratory skills at the Sextii school, a place known for its emphasis on Stoicism. Soon Seneca’s health started to worsen, he was suffering from tuberculosis, and due to that he traveled to Egypt thinking that the climate would be better for his health. He then returns to Rome in the year 31 and begins his political career. After masterfully pleading a case in the senate in front of the emperor Caligula, he ordered Seneca to be put to death but soon after realizing that his chronic disease would kill him gradually, giving him a painful life, Caligula stopped the persecution. Caligula’s successor, Claudius, sought to banish Seneca from Rome. Upon coming to power in 41, he sent Seneca to the Island of Corsica. While living in exile there, Seneca wrote three of his famous works: “Consolation to Polybius”, “Consolation to Helvia”, and “On Anger”. The isolation soon became unbearable for him, but he found solace in writing letters, a practice he would continue throughout his life.
In the 50s AD, Seneca’s circumstances began to improve when Empress Agrippina enlisted him to tutor her son, Nero, hoping Nero would become the next Roman Emperor. However, Nero showed little interest in learning, and his resentment towards Seneca grew. Their relationship soured over time, and Seneca soon found himself at odds with Nero, realizing his derangement. Eventually, Nero sent his men to force Seneca into suicide. Seneca died in a steam bath, succumbing to the intense heat and dense air.
“The one thing fools all have in common, is that they’re always beginning to live”
Here Seneca is trying to tell us that we lack the courage to change and instead we simply live life as it is. Instead of fully embracing the present moment and making the most of their current circumstances, they procrastinate or wait for some future event or condition to start truly living. Fools often believe that they will start living once certain conditions are met. Whether it’s achieving a certain level of success, acquiring material wealth, or reaching a particular milestone. This mentality leads to a perpetual state of waiting, where they never feel satisfied with their current situation. Seneca, as a Stoic philosopher, would advocate for embracing the present and finding contentment and virtue in one’s current circumstances. Stoicism teaches that true happiness and fulfillment come from within, through cultivating virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation, rather than through external achievements or possessions.
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