Dear Seneca,

There is a conflict in your letter.  The second half speaks of the things which the philosopher enjoys:  namely prohairetic things.  But the first half is rather focused on aprohairetic things, externals.

The focus of goodness is right and just, but was Diogenes of Sinope not good?  Does not Epictetus hold him up as a possible Sage? Indeed he does:  he does this without property, without the civil citizenship.  He shuns the state, tries to teach Alexander as a man, not a King.  He is a citizen in the cosmic city of the gods, of the wise, of πήρα.

I think, sir, with all due respect that your wealth and position have clouded your judgement on this issue.

Farewell.

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