Seneca,

“Why do you take pleasure in being praised by men whom you yourself cannot praise?”

It’s a good question.  The answer is that we must mistake praise for a good.  We seek it, we find it validating.  It supports what we do.  But, most of the time we don’t consider the source.

A careful application of praise from a good man is one thing, but we mistake a popular sort of praise which is base.  One has but to look at the internet, the never-ending stream of selfies, tweets, and updates.  Lots of people crying out for validation.

It’s a poor stand-in for the surety and confidence that comes from within.

Farewell.

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