“To win true freedom you must be a slave to philosophy.” - Seneca, Letter to Lucilius VIII
Understand that during Seneca’s time, philosophy meant “a way to live.” It did not mean sitting under a tree while pondering life… it meant “doing life;” and for Seneca that meant “doing life in line with his virtues.”
To truly feel freedom, we must be commit ourselves to our virtues. Well, what’s a virtue?
The Stoics talk about the four virtues of wisdom, justice, temperance, and courage, but I suggest they could come from religion or any source you go to for moral guidance.
To truly feel freedom we must commit ourselves to living according to our moral compass.
For me, that means living life in a way that allows me to do something for someone else that matters. My goal is not to let the outside world keep me from living in such a way, and so long as I keep that top of mind, I feel free.
What do you value?