Essays 7: Of a Happy Life

Of a Happy Life is an essay written by Seneca around the year 58 AD. It was intended for his older brother Gallio, to whom Seneca also dedicated his dialogue entitled De Ira ("On Anger"). It is divided into 28 chapters that present the moral thoughts of Seneca at their most mature. Seneca explains that the pursuit of happiness is the pursuit of reason – reason meant not only using logic, but also understanding the processes of nature.

Translation by Aubrey Stewart and produced by Vox Stoica

Seneca's Essays Series:

1) Of providence – addressed to Lucilius

2) On the Firmness of the Wise Man – addressed to Serenus

3-5) Of Anger (Books 1-3) – addressed to his brother Novatus

6) Of Consolation – addressed to Marcia

7) Of a Happy Life – addressed to Gallio

8) Of Leisure – addressed to Serenus

9) Of Tranquillity of Mind – addressed to Serenus

10) On the Shortness of Life – addressed to Paulinus

11) Of Consolation – addressed to Polybius

12) Of Consolation – addressed to Helvia