Seneca's Moral Letters - A One Year Reading Plan
Introduction
For many years it has been my intention to read through the entirety of Seneca’s Letters to Lucilius. It has be suggested that the Letters are (or can be used) as a Stoic learning program , and this is the inspiration for this plan. Whether the letters are real correspondence or thinly disguised diatribes actually has very little bearing on the richness of the content.
There are a few things we know about the Letters. They were organized into books at one time, perhaps with an eye to thematic organization. We also know that we have lost some of the Letters, so the content is incomplete, a fact reflected in two sections where the division of the books is unclear.
This program is set to work for any year, so the weeks are numbered instead of named. It is intended to run over a period of 52 weeks. The readings are set to take roughly 5 minutes each, and for only 5 days a week. This allows for some flexibility. Any edition of the Complete Letters may be used for this program.
Many Letters are too long for a single reading, so they have been divided into Parts, listing the standard section numbers to be read. Where the sections break over paragraphs, I have favoured the paragraph structure.
When a section is divided by a reading, it is split into Part a & Part b sections as follows:
…even after training yourself for speed, you will be no match for the hare. 23 Are you not willing to abandon all these details – wherein you must acknowledge defeat, striving as you are for something that is not your own and come back to the Good that is really yours?
And what is this Good? It is a clear and flawless mind, which rivals that of God, raised far above mortal concerns, and counting nothing of its own to be outside itself. You are a reasoning animal. What Good, then, lies within you? Perfect reason. Are you willing to develop this to its farthest limits – to its greatest degree of increase? 24 Only consider yourself happy when all your joys are born of reason, and when…
Suggestions for Use
Set a regular time for your daily reading, and come prepared to learn. It is important, however, to remember that these are not religious writings, so feel free to challenge, disagree or demand to know more. A notebook, pen, and a willingness to interact with the material would also be useful.
In Seneca’s own words, the study of philosophy should be seen as a channel towards ‘transformation’ rather than merely information.
This program has been designed for both print (using Booklet settings in Acrobat Reader) and digital.
BOOK I (Weeks 1 - 3)
Week 1
II. On Discursiveness In Reading
III. On True And False Friendship
Week 2
VIII. On The Philosopher's Seclusion
IX. On Philosophy And Friendship (1 – 12)
Week 3
IX. On Philosophy And Friendship (13 – 22)
BOOK II (Weeks 4 - 6)
Week 4
XIII. On Groundless Fears (1 – 9)
XIII. On Groundless Fears (10 – 17)
XIV. Reasons For Withdrawing (1 – 8)
XIV. Reasons For Withdrawing (9 – 18)
Week 5
XVI. On Philosophy, The Guide Of Life
XVII. On Philosophy And Riches
XVIII. On Festivals And Fasting (1 – 7)
XVIII. On Festivals And Fasting (8 – 15)
XIX. On Worldliness And Retirement (1 – 7)
Week 6
XIX. On Worldliness And Retirement (8 – 12)
XX. On Practising What You Preach (1 – 6)
XX. On Practising What You Preach (7 – 13)
XXI. Renown My Writings Will Bring You (1 – 6)
XXI. Renown My Writings Will Bring You (7 – 11)
Book III (Weeks 7 - 8)
Week 7
XXII. The Futility Of Half-Way Measures (1 – 9a)
XXII. The Futility Of Half-Way Measures (9b - 17)
XXIII. On The True Joy Which Comes From Philosophy
XXIV. On Despising Death (1 – 13)
XXIV. On Despising Death (14 – 26)
Week 8
XXVII. On The Good Which Abides
XXVIII. On Travel As A Cure For Discontent
XXIX. On The Critical Condition Of Marcellinus
Book IV (Weeks 9 - 10)
Week 9
XXX. On Conquering The Conqueror
XXXIII. On The Futility Of Learning Maxims
XXXV. On The Friendship Of Kindred Minds
Week 10
XXXVI. On The Value Of Retirement
XXXVII. On Allegiance To Virtue &
XXXVIII. On Quiet Conversation
XL. On The Proper Style For A Philosopher's Discourse
Book V (Weeks 11 - 13)
Week 11
XLIII. On The Relativity Of Fame
XLIV. On Philosophy And Pedigrees
XLV. On Sophistical Argumentation (1 – 7)
XLV. On Sophistical Argumentation (8 – 13)
Week 12
XLVI. On A New Book By Lucilius
XLVII. On Master And Slave (1 – 10)
XLVII. On Master And Slave (11 – 21)
XLVIII. On Quibbling As Unworthy Of The Philosopher
XLIX. On The Shortness Of Life (1 – 6a)
Week 13
XLIX. On The Shortness Of Life (6b – 12)
L. On Our Blindness And Its Cure
LII. On Choosing Our Teachers (1 – 8a)
LII. On Choosing Our Teachers (8b – 15)
Book VI (Week 14 - 16)
Week 14
LIII. On The Faults Of The Spirit
LVI. On Quiet And Study (1 – 8a)
LVI. On Quiet And Study (8b – 15)
Week 15
LVIII. On Being (Part 1: 1 – 8a)
LVIII. On Being (Part 2: 8b – 19)
LVIII. On Being (Part 3: 20 – 27a)
LVIII. On Being (Part 4: 27b – 27)
Week 16
LIX. On Pleasure And Joy (Part 1: 1 – 8)
LIX. On Pleasure And Joy (Part 2: 9 – 18)
LXI. On Meeting Death Cheerfully
Book VII (Week 17 - 19)
Week 17
LXIII. On Grief For Lost Friends (Part 1: 1 – 7a)
LXIII. On Grief For Lost Friends (Part 2: 7b – 16)
LXIV. On The Philosopher's Task
LXV. On The First Cause (Part 1: 1 – 10)
LXV. On The First Cause (Part 2: 11 – 24)
Week 18
LXVI. On Various Aspects Of Virtue (Part 1: 1 – 9)
LXVI. On Various Aspects Of Virtue (Part 2: 10 – 20)
LXVI. On Various Aspects Of Virtue (Part 3: 21 – 30)
LXVI. On Various Aspects Of Virtue (Part 4: 31 - 43)
LXVI. On Various Aspects Of Virtue (Part 5: 42 - 53)
Week 19
LXVII. On Ill-Health And Endurance Of Suffering
LXVIII. On Wisdom And Retirement (Part 1: 1 – 9)
LXVIII. On Wisdom And Retirement (Part 2: 10 - 14)
LXIX. On Rest And Restlessness (Part 1: 1 – 7)
LXIX. On Rest And Restlessness (Part 2: 8 – 14)
Book VIII (Week 20 - 22)
Week 20
LXX. On The Proper Time (Part 1: 1 – 9)
LXX. On The Proper Time (Part 2: 10 – 19a)
LXX. On The Proper Time (Part 3: 19b – 28)
LXXI. On The Supreme Good (Part 1: 1 – 10)
LXXI. On The Supreme Good (Part 2: 11 – 16a)
Week 21
LXXI. On The Supreme Good (Part 3: 16b – 25)
LXXI. On The Supreme Good (Part 4: 26 – 37)
LXXII. The Enemy Of Philosophy (Part 1: 1 – 6)
LXXII. The Enemy Of Philosophy (Part 2: 7 - 11)
LXXIII. On Philosophers And Kings (Part 1: 1 – 8)
Week 22
LXXIII. On Philosophers And Kings (Part 2: 9 – 16)
LXXIV. On Virtue As A Refuge (Part 1: 1 – 9)
LXXIV. On Virtue As A Refuge (Part 2: 10 – 19a)
LXXIV. On Virtue As A Refuge (Part 3: 19b – 26)
LXXIV. On Virtue As A Refuge (Part 4: 27 – 34)
Book IX (Week 23 - 25)
Week 23
LXXV. On The Diseases Of The Soul (Part 1: 1 – 10)
LXXV. On The Diseases Of The Soul (Part 2: 11 – 18)
LXXVI. On Learning Wisdom In Old Age (Part 1: 1 – 10)
LXXVI. On Learning Wisdom In Old Age (Part 2: 11 – 17)
LXXVI. On Learning Wisdom In Old Age (Part 3: 18 – 26a)
Week 24
LXXVI. On Learning Wisdom In Old Age (Part 4: 26b–35)
LXXVII. On Taking One's Own Life (Part 1: 1 – 12a)
LXXVII. On Taking One's Own Life (Part 2: 12b - 20)
LXXVIII. The Healing Power Of The Mind (Part 1: 1–6)
LXXVIII. The Healing Power Of The Mind (Part 2: 7-15a)
Week 25
LXXVIII. The Healing Power Of The Mind (Part 3: 15b-21)
LXXVIII. The Healing Power Of The Mind (Part 4: 22-29)
LXXIX. On The Rewards Of Discovery (Part 1: 1-10)
LXXIX. On The Rewards Of Discovery (Part 2: 11-18)
LXXX. On Worldly Deceptions
Book X (Week 26 - 27)
Week 26
LXXXI. On Benefits (Part 1: 1 – 10a)
LXXXI. On Benefits (Part 2: 10b – 19a)
LXXXI. On Benefits (Part 3: 19b – 23a)
LXXXI. On Benefits (Part 4: 23b – 32)
LXXXII. On The Natural Fear Of Death (Part 1: 1 – 7)
Week 27
LXXXII. On The Natural Fear Of Death (Part 2: 8 – 18)
LXXXII. On The Natural Fear Of Death (Part 3: 19 - 24)
LXXXIII. On Drunkenness (Part 1: 1 – 7)
LXXXIII. On Drunkenness (Part 2: 8 – 19a)
LXXXIII. On Drunkenness (Part 3: 19b – 27)
Books XI-XIII (Week 28 - 31)
Week 28
LXXXIV. On Gathering Ideas (Part 1: 1 – 8a)
LXXXIV. On Gathering Ideas (Part 2: 8b - 13)
LXXXV. On Some Vain Syllogisms (Part 1: 1 – 12)
LXXXV. On Some Vain Syllogisms (Part 2: 13 – 19a)
LXXXV. On Some Vain Syllogisms (Part 3: 19b – 27)
Week 29
LXXXV. On Some Vain Syllogisms (Part 4: 28 - 32)
LXXXV. On Some Vain Syllogisms (Part 5: 33 - 41)
LXXXVI. On Scipio's Villa (Part 1: 1 – 10)
LXXXVI. On Scipio's Villa (Part 2: 11 – 21)
LXXXVII. In Favour Of The Simple Life (Part 1: 1-8)
Week 30
LXXXVII. In Favour Of The Simple Life (Part 2: 9-18a)
LXXXVII. In Favour Of The Simple Life (Part 3: 18b-25)
LXXXVII. In Favour Of The Simple Life (Part 4: 26-34)
LXXXVII. In Favour Of The Simple Life (Part 5: 35-41)
LXXXVIII. On Studies (Part 1: 1-8)
Week 31
LXXXVIII. On Studies (Part 2: 9-15)
LXXXVIII. On Studies (Part 3: 16-23)
LXXXVIII. On Studies (Part 4: 24-30)
LXXXVIII. On Studies (Part 5: 31-38a)
LXXXVIII. On Studies (Part 6: 38b-46)
Book XIV (Week 32 - 35)
Week 32
LXXXIX. On The Parts Of Philosophy (Part 1: 1-8)
LXXXIX. On The Parts Of Philosophy (Part 2: 9-15)
LXXXIX. On The Parts Of Philosophy (Part 3: 16-23)
XC. On The Part Played By Philosophy (Part 1: 1-6)
XC. On The Part Played By Philosophy (Part 2: 7-13a)
Week 33
XC. On The Part Played By Philosophy (Part 3: 13b-17)
XC. On The Part Played By Philosophy (Part 4: 18-23)
XC. On The Part Played By Philosophy (Part 5: 24-28a)
XC. On The Part Played By Philosophy (Part 6: 28b-33)
XC. On The Part Played By Philosophy (Part 7: 34-39a)
Week 34
XC. On The Part Played By Philosophy (Part 8: 39b-46)
XCI. On The Burning Of Lyons (Part 1: 1-7a)
XCI. On The Burning Of Lyons (Part 2: 7b-14)
XCI. On The Burning Of Lyons (Part 3: 15-21)
XCII. On The Happy Life (Part 1: 1-7)
Week 35
XCII. On The Happy Life (Part 2: 8-13)
XCII. On The Happy Life (Part 3: 14-18)
XCII. On The Happy Life (Part 4: 19-23)
XCII. On The Happy Life (Part 5: 24-29)
XCII. On The Happy Life (Part 6: 30-35)
Book XV (Week 36 - 39)
Week 36
XCIII. On The Quality Of Life (Part 1: 1-5)
XCIII. On The Quality Of Life (Part 2: 6-12)
XCIV. On The Value Of Advice (Part 1: 1-7)
XCIV. On The Value Of Advice (Part 2: 8-16a)
XCIV. On The Value Of Advice (Part 3: 16b-21)
Week 37
XCIV. On The Value Of Advice (Part 4: 22-30a)
XCIV. On The Value Of Advice (Part 5: 30b-40a)
XCIV. On The Value Of Advice (Part 6: 40b-46a)
XCIV. On The Value Of Advice (Part 7: 46b-54)
XCIV. On The Value Of Advice (Part 8: 55-63)
Week 38
XCIV. On The Value Of Advice (Part 9: 64-74)
XCV. On The Usefulness Of Principles (Part 1: 1-9a)
XCV. On The Usefulness Of Principles (Part 2: 9b-18a)
XCV. On The Usefulness Of Principles (Part 3: 18b-25)
XCV. On The Usefulness Of Principles (Part 4: 26-35)
Week 39
XCV. On The Usefulness Of Principles (Part 5: 36-41)
XCV. On The Usefulness Of Principles (Part 6: 42-49)
XCV. On The Usefulness Of Principles (Part 7: 50-59a)
XCV. On The Usefulness Of Principles (Part 8: 59b-64)
XCV. On The Usefulness Of Principles (Part 9: 65-73)
Book XVI (Week 40 - 41)
Week 40
XCVI. On Facing Hardships
XCVII. On The Degeneracy Of The Age (Part 1: 1-8)
XCVII. On The Degeneracy Of The Age (Part 2: 9-16)
XCVIII. On The Fickleness Of Fortune (Part 1: 1-8)
XCVIII. On The Fickleness Of Fortune (Part 2: 9-18)
Week 41
XCIX. On Consolation To The Bereaved (Part 1: 1-13a)
XCIX. On Consolation To The Bereaved (Part 2: 13b-21)
XCIX. On Consolation To The Bereaved (Part 3: 22-32)
C. On The Writings Of Fabianus (Part 1: 1-7)
C. On The Writings Of Fabianus (Part 2: 8-12)
Books XVII – XVIII (Week 42 - 45)
Week 42
CI. On The Futility Of Planning Ahead (Part 1: 1-8)
CI. On The Futility Of Planning Ahead (Part 2: 9-15)
CII. On Our Immortality (Part 1: 1-7)
CII. On Our Immortality (Part 2: 8-15)
CII. On Our Immortality (Part 3: 16-25)
Week 43
CII. On Our Immortality (Part 4: 26-30)
CIII. On The Dangers Of Association
CIV. On Health And Peace Of Mind (Part 1: 1-8)
CIV. On Health And Peace Of Mind (Part 2: 9-19a)
CIV. On Health And Peace Of Mind (Part 3: 19b-26)
Week 44
CIV. On Health And Peace Of Mind (Part 4: 27-34)
CV. On Facing The World With Confidence
CVI. On The Corporeality Of Virtue
CVII. On Obedience To The Universal Will
CVIII. On The Approaches To Philosophy (Part 1: 1-9a)
Week 45
CVIII. On The Approaches To Philosophy (Part 2: 9b-16)
CVIII. On The Approaches To Philosophy (Part 3: 17-27a)
CVIII. On The Approaches To Philosophy (Part 4: 27b-38)
CIX. On The Fellowship Of Wise Men (Part 1: 1-11)
CIX. On The Fellowship Of Wise Men (Part 2: 12-18)
Book XIX (Week 46 - 49)
Week 46
CX. On True And False Riches (Part 1: 1-10)
CX. On True And False Riches (Part 2: 11-20)
CXI. On The Vanity Of Mental Gymnastics
CXII. On Reforming Hardened Sinners
CXIII. On The Vitality Of The Soul (Part 1: 1-8a)
Week 47
CXIII. On The Vitality Of The Soul (Part 2: 8b-22)
CXIII. On The Vitality Of The Soul (Part 3: 23-32)
CXIV. On Style As A Mirror Of Character (Part 1: 1-8a)
CXIV. On Style As A Mirror Of Character (Part 2: 8b-14)
CXIV. On Style As A Mirror Of Character (Part 3: 15-19)
Week 48
CXIV. On Style As A Mirror Of Character (Part 4: 20-27)
CXV. On The Superficial Blessings (Part 1: 1-7)
CXV. On The Superficial Blessings (Part 2: 8-13a)
CXV. On The Superficial Blessings (Part 3: 13b-18)
CXVI. On Self-Control
Week 49
CXVII. On Real Ethics (Part 1: 1-7a)
CXVII. On Real Ethics (Part 2: 7b-14)
CXVII. On Real Ethics (Part 3: 15-22)
CXVII. On Real Ethics (Part 4: 23-29)
CXVII. On Real Ethics (Part 5: 30-33)
Book XX (Week 50 - 52)
Week 50
CXVIII. On The Vanity Of Place-Seeking (Part 1: 1-9)
CXVIII. On The Vanity Of Place-Seeking (Part 2: 10-17)
CXIX. On Nature As Our Best Provider (Part 1: 1-6)
CXIX. On Nature As Our Best Provider (Part 2: 7-16)
CXX. More About Virtue (Part 1: 1-10)
Week 51
CXX. More About Virtue (Part 2: 11-22)
CXXI. On Instinct In Animals (Part 1: 1-13)
CXXI. On Instinct In Animals (Part 2: 14-24)
CXXII. On Darkness (Part 1: 1-8)
CXXII. On Darkness (Part 2: 9-19)
Week 52
CXXIII. Between Pleasure And Virtue (Part 1: 1-7)
CXXIII. Between Pleasure And Virtue (Part 2: 8-17)
CXXIV. On The True Good (Part 1: 1-9a)
CXXIV. On The True Good (Part 2: 9b-16)
CXXIV. On The True Good (Part 3: 17-24)
Book X (26-27)
Book XI-XIII (28-31)
Book XIV (32 - 35)