Perhaps some context would help. Now that it is almost 2 millenia since Seneca wrote his most famous works, it is easy to forget that Seneca lived a very comfortable life, far from the image often associated with the moderate Stoic, and far from the kind of person his letters persuade us to be, and it bears repeating.<p>Seneca himself points out that he did not live up to his principles. Starting from the book that I&#x27;ve linked below [1], and for a couple chapters, he points out that the model of a Stoic that one can build from his writings is a model that he is trying to become, and that he was aware of his own shortcomings when measured by that model.<p>It helps to contrast Seneca&#x27;s relationship with his philosophy with the Greek Cynics and Stoics. The latter were often more willing to radically embody their philosophy in their actions, even if their actions were not socially accepted. Seneca, on the other hand, was very rich in his society and time, and owned multiple properties.<p>In fact, throughout the ages, there have always been (not necessarily well informed) commentators criticizing Seneca. This article [2] discusses precisely this matter.<p>Given the frequency with which Stoicism appears here, a better understanding of their earliest authors&#x27; and practicioners&#x27; relationship to the words that have survived them should be useful.<p>[1]: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikisource.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Of_a_Happy_Life&#x2F;Book_XVI" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikisource.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Of_a_Happy_Life&#x2F;Book_XVI</a><p>[2]: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.jstor.org&#x2F;stable&#x2F;3294099" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.jstor.org&#x2F;stable&#x2F;3294099</a>