Seneca, Stoic philosopher and advisor to Nero, wrote these letters to a younger friend, offering wisdom on how to live and how to die. The letters are practical, warm, surprisingly modern: begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life. Seneca was forced to commit suicide by Nero two years later, and he met his death as he had taught others to meet theirs. The letters have been read continuously for two thousand years. We are still looking for a way to live well. Seneca is still worth consulting.