Stoicism - College of Stoic Philosophers

l6oSTOICISM,amples which the subjects of tyranny mayheart.take toIt has been remarked that of the modern criticswho have occupied themselves with Seneca, Garatwas the first to understand him rightly, and thatbecause he lived under a reign of terror whichof Nero. Herecalled the memory of the dark daystells us that he had the guillotine in prospect whenhe began to read afresh the works of Seneca for anew edition. He had read him in his earlier yearsof cheerful life before the Revolution ;he read himonce more in days of gloom, and found him quiteanother writer. The first time he had much workto keep the page still open ;the second timehe could scarcely tear himself away." His moralshad seemed before unnatural and high pitched;now they appeared hardly up to the level of ourown experience and needs." Or again," Seneca'sphilosophy was composed for those periods oflingering agony to which tyrants sometimes condemntheir people." Again, "There was need ofa philosophy to teach men to give up all theyhad before it was taken from them ;to isolatethem from their fellows who could do no more forthem ;to create a personal force and greatnesswhich despots and executioners might crush, butwhich they could not cause to tremble. Such isthe philosophy of Seneca." Or again,"He dwells,it is true, on the same truth a long time, butremember that it is not with him a question onlyof what he ought to think of death; he has to