Odysseus and the Dangers of Pleasure

These objects for which you strive so eagerly, as if they would give you happiness and pleasure, are merely causes of grief.

A quick update before we begin- I’m in the final stages of editing The Stoic Manual: Meditations on the Art of Living, a collection of 150 Stoic meditations on living well. It’ll be released soon and included free for all Annual and Lifetime members. Meanwhile, access my other books here

I’ve wanted to wrote this piece for the longest time since watching The Odyssey by Chris Nolan. I’m excited for you to read it. And I hope you enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.

Odysseus and the Dangers of Pleasure

“Joy is the goal which you desire to reach, but you are wandering from the path, if you expect to reach your goal while you are in the midst of riches and official titles,—in other words, if you seek joy in the midst of cares. These objects for which you strive so eagerly, as if they would give you happiness and pleasure, are merely causes of grief.” - Seneca

“If…you seek pleasures of all kinds in all directions, you must know that you are as far short of wisdom as you are short of j…