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"Throughout the centuries, Seneca has been admired as one of the greatest writers of antiquity. He has a way of expressing Stoic philosophy that makes it seem just as relevant to life today as it was two thousand years ago. Seneca taught that we should remain grounded in the present moment by being fully aware of the impermanence of life. In being clear-sighted and dealing with adversity head-on, it's possible to live a life of meaning and contentment in the here and now, truly enjoying nature, art, friends and loved ones. The rise and rise in popularity of Stoic philosophy has made Seneca's letters bedside reading for many. This collectible, hard-back edition of Letters from a Stoic includes an insightful and original Introduction by psychotherapist and Stoicism expert Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius (2019)"--

"Romans in the Age of Nero were preoccupied with transactional obligations, namely, what one could expect in return for something given. Emperors firmed up their power by offering donations to troops, or handouts to the public; rich men received hosts of clientelae every morning, godfather-style, promising favors or granting petitions in exchange for gifts or loyalty. Even the gods could be bought: A Roman often intoned the formula do ut des, "I give so that you may give," while making sacrifice. The Roman statesman and philosopher Seneca explored the complexities of giving and receiving in his longest ethical treatise, which goes under the title De Beneficiis. Sometimes rendered "benefit," the word beneficium denotes any gift, favor, or good turn, that is, anything that incurs (or seeks to incur) an obligation from the receiver. In this book, James Romm (translator of How to Die and How to Keep Your Cool), proposes to abridge and translate this work for modern readers under the above title. Seneca, Romm maintains, held his readers and humanity to a higher standard when it came to generosity. On his view, giving and receiving were not merely contractual matters, like business or banking, but followed higher principles of mutual care and respect. The motives behind giving, and the way it is carried out, need to be carefully examined, lest the receiver gain a boon but lose their moral standing in the process, or lest the giver exert coercive or self-serving pressures (ahem, lobbyists). He turned over every facet of the topic and used it as a way to expound larger Stoic principles regarding the interconnectedness of the human race. His aim was to urge his readers to redouble their efforts to give and receive wisely, to express gratitude when we receive a boon, and to transcend our darker, selfish impulses. In generosity, Seneca argues, lies the hope of preserving civilized life in the face of chaos"--

Timeless wisdom on controlling anger in personal life and politics from the Roman Stoic philosopher and statesman SenecaIn his essay "On Anger" (De Ira), the Roman Stoic thinker Seneca (c. 4 BC–65 AD) argues that anger is the most destructive passion: "No plague has cost the human race more dear." This was proved by his own life, which he barely preserved under one wrathful emperor, Caligula, and lost under a second, Nero. This splendid new translation of essential selections from "On Anger," presented with an enlightening introduction and the original Latin on facing pages, offers readers a timeless guide to avoiding and managing anger. It vividly illustrates why the emotion is so dangerous and why controlling it would bring vast benefits to individuals and society.Drawing on his great arsenal of rhetoric, including historical examples (especially from Caligula's horrific reign), anecdotes, quips, and soaring flights of eloquence, Seneca builds his case against anger with mounting intensity. Like a fire-and-brimstone preacher, he paints a grim picture of the moral perils to which anger exposes us, tracing nearly all the world's evils to this one toxic source. But he then uplifts us with a beatific vision of the alternate path, a path of forgiveness and compassion that resonates with Christian and Buddhist ethics.Seneca's thoughts on anger have never been more relevant than today, when uncivil discourse has increasingly infected public debate. Whether seeking personal growth or political renewal, readers will find, in Seneca's wisdom, a valuable antidote to the ills of an angry age