Episode 45: The Sage

What are some of the characteristics of the ideal Stoic. We'll see what Seneca has to say about it.
All references below are to Moral Letters to Lucilius https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius

The Sage is rare, showing up perhaps once every 500 years (42.1). They, like everyone else will experience impressions and emotions when things outside their opower occur, but they can then apply reason to the situation and act appropriately (57).

The sage relies on herself for happiness, a happiness that comes from within not from externals (72)He carries his goods within him (9)
Is content with virtue alone but is happy to have possessions and friends. (66)
He enjoys friendship for the sake of serving his friends not as a means to gain anything (3)
a sage is different. He is kind to friends, restrained toward enemies, his political and personal business is carried out with scrupulous devotion, willing to suffer long where endurance is needed and not lacking in prudence when action is taken. Besides he is always the same, consistent in all actions sound in judgement and trained by habit that he not only can act rightly but can’t help but act rightly. We have formed a concept that a man of such perfect virtue exists. (120)

Accepts the loss of friends and family with same spirit that he awaits his own loss, the underlying principle of virtue is conformity (74)
The sage is wise, but not all knowing, he will therefore spend time with other wise people who they may share knowledge with(109)
Accepts the loss of friends and family with same spirit that he awaits his own loss, the underlying principle of virtue is conformity (74)

The sage acts rightly in all situations without second guessing himself (95)






The sage regards the reasons for his actions not the results of the actions (14)

Is not thrust out of life by death but is ready and goes willingly He will live as long as he ought, not as long as he can (70)

Is ready from attacks on all fronts, he is fortified against attack of poverty, sorrow, disgrace or pain

Is content with virtue alone but is happy to have possessions and friends. (66)

Is not over enamoured with the gifts of fortune (72) He will lay them aside while the rest of us snatch up these gifts like dogs catching a piece of meat

He does not drink to excess (83) nor does he covett possessions (73)