voluntary poverty. See voluntary simplicity
voluntary simplicity: Seneca on, 124–26; in Stoic philosophy, 14
wandering vs. having a destination, 37–38, 81–83, 154
Watkins, P. C.: on gratitude, 196
Wilson, Emily: biography of Seneca, 9; on the Stoic sage, 27
wealth, 115–28; and addiction to luxury, 121; anxiety of maintaining it, 121–22, 123–24; dangers of extreme wealth, 120–22; and envy, 122; and fame and fortune, 120, 122; and greed, 122; and living within one’s means, 126; natural wealth, 118–20; nonattachment to, 127; and pain of loss, 122; provides an opportunity to practice virtue, 127–28; and psychological inflation, 121; and Seneca’s detachment from the gifts of Fortune, 118, 127–28; and social status, 122; and voluntary simplicity, 124–26; how wealth affects people differently, 120, 121. See also Fortune; poverty
work and leisure, 39, 84–85
worry. See anxiety
Zeno of Citium: criticized by Seneca, 157; founder of Stoic philosophy, 3; ideas on Stoic sage, 24–25; influenced by Socrates and the Cynic philosophers, 24–25; on living in agreement with nature, 5; and okeiōsis, 144; saw Socrates as a sage, 22n14; and Stoic paradoxes, 41
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DAVID FIDELER HAS WORKED AS A COLLEGE PROFESSOR, editor and publisher, and the director of a humanities center. He studied ancient Greek philosophy and Mediterranean religions at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a PhD in philosophy. Fideler is the author of Restoring the Soul of the World and other books. Born in the United States, he currently lives in Sarajevo with his wife and son.
This book is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric, or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers requiring such advice or treatment should consult a qualified mental health or medical professional.
Frontispiece: Bronze sculpture of Seneca in Córdoba, Spain.
Photography by Ken Welsh / Alamy. Used with permission.
Copyright © 2022 by David Fideler
Text and original translations by David Fideler
All rights reserved
First Edition
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The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:
Names: Fideler, David R., 1961– author.
Title: Breakfast with Seneca : a Stoic guide to the art of living / David Fideler.
Description: First edition. | New York, NY : W. W. Norton & Company, [2022] | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021035112 | ISBN 9780393531664 | ISBN 9780393531671 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Seneca, Lucius Annaeus, approximately 4 B.C.–65 A.D. | Stoics. | Ethics. | Philosophy, Ancient.
Classification: LCC B618 .F53 2022 | DDC 188—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021035112
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