Which Seneca to read? Search all letters using AI.

tl;dr: Try searching all Seneca’s works by topic: Search Seneca.

On Finding the Right Letter

Seneca has many timeless letters and essays on topics like time management and personal development. His references to life in Ancient Rome are relatable and funny, like his annoyance at the noisy gym below his apartment:

I have lodgings right over a bathing establishment. So picture to yourself the assortment of sounds, which are strong enough to make me hate my very powers of hearing! When your strenuous gentleman, for example, is exercising himself by flourishing leaden weights; when he is working hard, or else pretends to be working hard, I can hear him grunt; and whenever he releases his imprisoned breath, I can hear him panting in wheezy and high-pitched tones.

But it’s hard to know where to begin. Especially if you don’t want to invest time perusing the 124 letters and 12 essays.

On Unnatural Intelligences

When creating the Seneca Library, I tried using AI to summarize each letter and essay. The results sucked. The language was dull and generic, like a lot of AI generated writing.

When asking for a summary of Letter I: On Saving Time:

Seneca urges Lucilius to value time, avoid wasting it, and live purposefully.

Yawn. Yes, yes - we should value time, help others, say thank you, and brush our teeth twice a day.

After much playing around, I found what works better: Asking for a quote from the letter that best encapsulates the meaning. Then, we get:

“Nothing, Lucilius, is ours, except time. We were entrusted by nature with the ownership of this single thing.”

That one hits harder. Time is the only thing we own? Tell me more, Seneca!

On Applying New Knowledge

Now let’s apply this across all works. What if we ask which of Seneca’s works are relevant for a topic, and to provide a quote for each?

Here’s an example for “exercise”:

 
Title:
On Brawn and Brains

Quote:
“Now there are short and simple exercises which tire the body rapidly, and so save our time; and time is something of which we ought to keep strict account. These exercises are running, brandishing weights, and jumping, – high-jumping or broad-jumping, or the kind which I may call, ‘the Priest’s dance,’ or, in slighting terms, ‘the clothes-cleaner’s jump.’ Select for practice any one of these, and you will find it plain and easy. But whatever you do, come back soon from body to mind.”

Wow, specific exercises. Practical!

What about “time management”:

 
Title:
On the Shortness of Life

Quote:
“It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it. Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested.”

Very relevant, too.

On Sharing One’s Work

I’ve created a tool for this. You enter a topic and it will give 2 works, each with a quote and links to read or listen to.

You can try it here: Search Seneca.

I’m keen to hear how it works for you, or any thoughts you have. Message me at matt@matt.fyi or @mattjustfyi on Twitter.