Which Stoic book should I read first?

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
The first text on Stoicism that most people read is The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. It’s very small book, written in a beautiful aphoristic style. There are many translations available, and it’s easy to obtain older (out of copyright) editions free online.

Did Marcus Aurelius know Seneca?

Another influence on Marcus came from Heraclitus, whose concepts we can see throughout Meditations and who had a strong influence on Stoic thought. Given the literary world at the time, Marcus was mostly likely not exposed to Seneca, another one of the three most prominent Stoics.

What books should I read about Stoicism?

The best books on Stoicism

• The Discourses of Epictetus. by Epictetus.
• A Guide to the Good Life. by William B Irvine.
• Meditations. by Marcus Aurelius.
• Letters on Ethics: To Lucilius. by Seneca.
• A New Stoicism. by Laurence Becker.

Which Seneca book should I start with?

Seneca seems like he would have been a fun guy to know—which is unusual for a Stoic. I suggest starting with On the Shortness of Life (a collection of short essays) and then move to his book of letters (which are really more like essays than true correspondence).

Who was Seneca to Nero?

Tacitus reports that Seneca tried to retire twice, in 62 and 64 AD, but Nero refused him on both occasions. Nevertheless, Seneca was increasingly absent from the court. He adopted a quiet lifestyle on his country estates, concentrating on his studies and seldom visiting Rome.

What did Seneca read?

Seneca Books

• Letters from a Stoic (Paperback) Seneca.
• On the Shortness of Life (Paperback) Seneca.
• Medea (Paperback) Seneca.
• Phaedra (Paperback) Seneca.
• Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero (Hardcover)
• Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison (Paperback)
• On Anger (Kindle Edition)
• Tanrısal Öngörü (De Providentia)

Who has read Marcus Aurelius?

Bill Clinton — The former president reads Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations every year. You can read more in this New York Times story. Theodore Roosevelt — Theodore Roosevelt, one of history’s most resilient leaders, brought Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius on his deadly “River of Doubt” expedition.

Who is the best Stoic?

Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, born nearly two millennia ago is perhaps the best known Stoic leader in history. He was born in a prominent family but nobody at the time would have predicted that he would one day be Emperor of the Empire.