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:
Of providence – addressed to Lucilius
On the Firmness of the Wise Man – addressed to Serenus
3-5) Of Anger (Books 1-3) – addressed to his brother Novatus
Of Consolation – addressed to Marcia
Of a Happy Life – addressed to Gallio
Of Leisure – addressed to Serenus
Of Tranquillity of Mind – addressed to Serenus
On the Shortness of Life – addressed to Paulinus
Of Consolation – addressed to Polybius
Of Consolation – addressed to Helvia