In the last chapter of his discourse On The Happy Life, Seneca tells us that to be happy we should stop pursuing pleasure, and instead pursue virtue. T

his is an excerpt from Stoic Happiness, a plain English version of Seneca’s On the Happy Life, published by The Stoic Gym. https://amzn.to/2I0mbVW

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People with a generous spirit match their acts to human nature, and not to their own strength. They are lofty in their aims and think of plans challenging to execute even by those with gigantic intellects. 

The way the wise look at life 

They follow these rules: “I will treat death as a comedy. I will use the same expression. I will work, no matter how hard, and use my mind to help my body. I will look down upon money as much when I have it as when I don’t. I will not be depressed if I don’t have it, and I won’t be more elated if I do have it. I will not pay any attention to it, whether the fortune comes or goes. I look upon all lands as mine and mine as belonging to everyone. I will so live as to remember that I was born for others. I will thank Nature for this. What could she have done more for me? She has given me to all and all to me. 

Rules to live by 

• Good thoughts result in good things, even if you don’t follow them thoroughly. 
• People act according to their nature, but not according to their strength. 
• Don’t hoard and don’t squander. 
• Things gain value only when you give them to people who need them. 
• The value of a gift is decided by the receiver, not by you. 
• No gift is too large if given to a worthy person. 
• Do everything according to your conscience, not according to what others might think. 
• Don’t do anything in private, if you won’t do it when others are looking. 
• Be pleasant to your friends and gentle with your enemies. 
• Pardon before being asked. 
• Meet people halfway. 
• Remember, the world is your city. 
• Let everyone be a witness for your good conscience and pursuits. 
• Don’t damage your freedom. Or anyone else’s. 
• Good thoughts, even when falling short of action, create good things 

If nature wants me to live again or reason want me to give it up, I will quit this life. I will call everyone as a witness that I have lived a good conscience and good pursuits. I did not damage my freedom—nor anyone else’s. 

These rules will elevate your life 

Anyone who sets these up as rules of life will soar and make his way to the gods. Even if they fail, they fail nobly. 

But you, who hate virtue and those who practice it, do nothing that will surprise us. Dim lights cannot match the sun. Night creatures avoid daylight, and as soon as it is dawn, they become confused and rush back to their dens. Creatures that are afraid of the light hide in crevices. So, keep blabbering and use your tongues to criticize good people. Open wide your jaws. Bite hard. You will break many teeth but will make no impression. 

Think about this 

I will do nothing because of what others might say, but I’ll do everything according to my conscience. 

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