Auteur(s) : Vincent J. ROSIVACH (Fairfield Univ., USA)
Titre : Seneca on the Fear of Poverty in the Epistulae Morales
Revue : L’Antiquité Classique
Volume : 64
Date : 1995
Pages : 91-98

Abstract :
For Seneca in the Epistulae Morales Stoic philosophy is a mental discipline which will free its practitioners from fear, including the fear of poverty. «Poverty» here is the loss of wealth, and especially of the material goods and status which wealth makes possible. Seneca recommends strategies to help his élite audience live comfortably with their wealth without fear of losing it. These strategies include avoiding the extremes of luxury and developing an attitude of nonchalance towards one's material goods.