Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Essays 2: On the Firmness of the Wise Man
- Narrated by: Robin Homer
- Length: 58 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Essays 2: On the Firmness of the Wise Man
Buy Now for £3.69
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
In On the Firmness of the Wise Man Seneca argues that Stoicism is not as harsh as it first appears. Recalling the figure of Cato the Younger, Seneca argues that Cato as a wise person suffered neither injury nor insult. Although Serenus objects to this paradox, Seneca provides further analogies to emphasize the impervious nature of the wise person. In chapter 5 Seneca distinguishes between contumelia (insults) and iniuria (injuries). The rest of the treatise through to chapter 19 consists of discussions on the nature of both themes, showing that the wise person is immune from both insults and injuries. Seneca concludes the treatise praising the idea of the wise person while offering practical advice for all of us who are imperfect.
Translation by Aubrey Stewart, produced by Vox Stoica