Letters from a Stoic, Seneca
Letters from a Stoic, Seneca
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Letters from a Stoic
Penguin Classics

Author: Seneca, Robin Campbell, Robin Campbell, Robin Campbell

Narrator: Julian Glover

Unabridged: 7 hr 38 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/26/2019


Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Julian Glover, Olivier Award winning actor, also known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Robin Campbell.

A philosophy that saw self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', Stoicism called for the restraint of animal instincts and the severing of emotional ties. These beliefs were formulated by the Athenian followers of Zeno in the fourth century BC, but it was in Seneca (c. 4 BC- AD 65) that the Stoics found their most eloquent advocate. Stoicism, as expressed in the Letters, helped ease pagan Rome's transition to Christianity, for it upholds upright ethical ideals and extols virtuous living, as well as expressing disgust for the harsh treatment of slaves and the inhumane slaughters witnessed in the Roman arenas. Seneca's major contribution to a seemingly unsympathetic creed was to transform it into a powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.

(P) 2019 Penguin Audio

About Seneca

Seneca (c. 4 BC-65 AD) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist. As a writer Seneca is known for his philosophical works, and for his plays, which are all tragedies.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Ryan on July 05, 2012

I tore this book to pieces. My copy is overflowing with tabbed pages and highlighted lines and notes in the margins. Seneca of course, is a fascinating figure. Gregory Hays once said about Marcus Aurelius that "not being a tyrant was something he had to work at one day at a time" and often, Seneca l......more

Goodreads review by Glenn on April 11, 2017

These letters of Roman philosopher Seneca are a treasure chest for anybody wishing to incorporate philosophic wisdom into their day-to-day living. By way of example, below are a few Seneca gems along with my brief comments: “Each day acquire something which will help you to face poverty, or death, an......more

Goodreads review by Valeriu on August 08, 2025

Mai întîi despre traducere. Mi se pare excelentă. Gh. Guțu a fost un clasicist eminent de la care avem și un foarte util Dicționar latin-român. Cînd am citit prima dată un text de Seneca, s-a întîmplat să fie tocmai traducerea lui Gh. Guțu. Limba ei nu s-a învechit. Trec la epistole. În a doua scriso......more

Goodreads review by Bella on October 30, 2024

actual rating: 4.5 stars......more

Goodreads review by Paul on May 31, 2024

Letters deserve a letter in reply, and therefore… Dear Seneca: I wanted to thank you for your letters. They were published by a Londinium-based publisher called Penguin Books, under the title of Letters from a Stoic. I read your letters with interest and admiration, and wanted to drop a line by way o......more