Seneca,

Ah, Seneca, your mixed messages are certainly difficult to parse.  Hug the shores, retire from the world, etc.  Are these Stoic teachings, or simply your own proclivities.

I understand that Lucillius was concerned over his finances, most of us studying philosophy today are not in the financial position you yourself were.  Instead, we’re more like Lucillius, trying to split our time between earning enough to get by and philosophy.

Some are academics in related fields, which may make things easier, but many others of us are not working in any such intellectual capacity.

My own inclinations are to hole-up with books and few close associates, but how can we be about the work of human beings *and* philosophers in such a way?  I’m not sure it’s possible.

Obligations, roles, duties on one hand.  Leisure, quiet, study on the other.  And necessity sitting right in the middle leaning to upset the balance.

Farewell.

Part of Michel Daw’s Reading Plan of Seneca’s Letters.