Moral Letters

Moral Letters

This is a modern take on Seneca's Moral Letters to Lucilius. I use them as tools in the ongoing search for what it means to live a good life. Although Seneca's words have been mined for centuries, each generation keeps turning up gemstones. I seek to polish old stones to show them in a new light.
May
02
Quaint Swiss farmer's village set amidst green fields and trees

089 - On How To Study Philosophy - Moral Letters for Modern Times

Philosophy means the love of wisdom, and consequently is made up of the efforts you put into attaining wisdom.
4 min read
Apr
28
Two swans swimming side by side in a placid lake

088 - On The Best Course Of Study - Moral Letters for Modern Times

If you would not have your children tear down the foundations that hold up society, do not send them into the factories that labor explicitly for that purpose.
6 min read
Apr
25
Branches of a tree extended out over the shore of a lake

087 - On Living Simply - Moral Letters for Modern Times

When traveling light you think carefully about what you really need and leave aside all those things that you might need. I think that is the reason I so love the practice.
4 min read
Apr
20
Orange and pink colored clouds in a big sky over an ocean seen from the beach

086 - On A Holiday Rental - Moral Letters for Modern Times

Sometimes progressing on the journey of life means leaving the comfort of what made us successful in the past.
4 min read
Apr
18
Lush green fields with tall green trees in the foreground

085 - On Relative Values - Moral Letters for Modern Times

I can’t help but think how much the Stoics would have benefitted from exploring the beauty of set theory.
5 min read
Apr
14
A rocky beach on the ocean under a cloudy sky

084 - On Inspiration And Progress - Moral Letters for Modern Times

Ask yourself why so many fail to make the transition from good ideas to good actions, from good thoughts to good deeds.
3 min read
Apr
11
View of British seaside from far out in the choppy, green water under a bruised, gray sky

083 - On Losing One's Mind - Moral Letters for Modern Times

Am I of sound mind when I tell you I believe I can control the elements? You need but lace up your shoes and join me to experience the phenomenon yourself.
7 min read
Apr
07
A powerboat docked in a marina alongside a row of apartments

082 - On Studies Of Substance - Moral Letters for Modern Times

Rather than wishing you luck and fine things I will wish that you experience hardship, or at least a certain burden.
6 min read
Apr
04
Rusty pier supports leading to a burnt out pier

081 - On Generosity And Gratefulness - Moral Letters for Modern Times

Though a person first does you a favor and then commits a harm, you should value the former greater than the latter.
4 min read
Mar
31
Parallel train tracks disappearing into the distance - Moral Letters to Lucilius

080 - On Training To Improve - Moral Letters for Modern Times

The side effects of not only being physically fit, but training to become and remain physically fit, are certainly real.
5 min read