Letters from a Stoic: Complete Collection
Explore Senecas Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium - 124 letters that form a complete course in practical Stoic philosophy. Written to his friend Lucilius around 62-65 CE, these letters offer timeless wisdom on virtue, happiness, and the art of living well.
About Senecas Letters
The Moral Letters to Lucilius represent the culmination of Senecas philosophical thought. Written in his final years, these letters combine practical wisdom with personal reflection, offering guidance on everything from daily ethics to lifes greatest challenges.
Quick Facts
- Total Letters: 124 (in 20 books)
- Date: 62-65 CE
- Recipient: Lucilius Junior
- Style: Personal & practical
- Themes: Ethics, virtue, mortality
Essential Letters to Read First
Start your journey with these carefully selected letters that capture Senecas most important teachings and demonstrate the practical application of Stoic principles.
On the Shortness of Life
Time Management
Senecas opening letter on making the most of our limited time and avoiding waste.
Read Letter 1 →"It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it."
On Groundless Fears
Anxiety & Fear
How we suffer more in imagination than reality, and techniques for managing fear.
Read Letter 13 →"We suffer more often in imagination than in reality."
On Philosophy and Friendship
Relationships
The relationship between philosophical growth and meaningful human connections.
Read Letter 16 →"Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end."
On Master and Slave
Human Dignity
Senecas progressive views on treating all people with dignity and respect.
Read Letter 47 →"They are slaves, people say. No, they are men."
On Taking Life
Death & Mortality
A profound meditation on death, suicide, and the Stoic approach to lifes end.
Read Letter 77 →"The willing, destiny guides them. The unwilling, destiny drags them."
On the Usefulness of Basic Principles
Practical Ethics
How Stoic principles apply to everyday moral decisions and challenges.
Read Letter 95 →"Philosophy does not promise to secure anything external for man."
On Care of Health and Peace of Mind
Wellness & Balance
Balancing care for physical health with philosophical equanimity.
Read Letter 104 →"Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end."
On Obedience to the Universal Will
Acceptance & Fate
Understanding and accepting the natural order while maintaining personal agency.
Read Letter 107 →"The willing, destiny guides them. The unwilling, destiny drags them."
Browse Letters by Theme
How to Read the Letters
Sequential Reading
Read letters 1-124 in order to follow Senecas natural progression of teaching.
Thematic Reading
Focus on letters addressing specific topics you're interested in.
Daily Practice
Read one letter per day as philosophical meditation and reflection.
Complete Collection
All 124 Letters Available
Access the complete collection of Senecas moral letters, organized for easy reading and reference.