Ep. 71 - The Lies We Tell Ourselves - “Good Adults” Grind Away for 40 Years

Seneca's 'Letters from a Stoic' is a collection of insightful letters written by the Roman philosopher to his friend Lucilius, offering guidance on living a virtuous and fulfilling life. These letters cover a wide range of topics, including managing emotions, dealing with adversity, and appreciating the present moment. Seneca emphasizes the importance of inner peace and self-sufficiency, encouraging readers to focus on what they can control and accept what they cannot. He advocates for simplicity, moderation, and the pursuit of wisdom as the keys to happiness. Through his eloquent prose and practical advice, Seneca provides a timeless roadmap for navigating the challenges of life with resilience and tranquility.

In this book, Max Weber argues that the Protestant work ethic, especially as influenced by Calvinism, played a significant role in the development of modern capitalism. Weber posits that the concept of a 'calling' and the this-worldly asceticism of Protestantism fostered a culture of hard work, thrift, and the accumulation of wealth, which were crucial for the emergence of capitalist culture. He contrasts this with the traditional economic attitudes and the medieval monastic ideal of other-worldly asceticism. The book also explores how these religious ideas influenced the development of a rational and disciplined approach to economic activity, which became a hallmark of modern capitalism.

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.