Letters on Ethics: To Lucilius (The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

and indifferent things are wealth, health, reputation” (Discourses 2.15).

Lucilius, the addressee of both the Natural Questions and Letters to Lucilius. Little is known about Lucilius himself. Seneca is our only source for his life, and the letters do not give much substantial information about him.

“Nothing will ever befall me that I will receive with gloom or a bad disposition. I will pay my taxes gladly. Now, all the things which cause complaint or dread are like the taxes of life—things from which, my dear Lucilius, you should never hope for exemption or seek escape.” —SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 96.2