A manual of classical wisdom on generosity and gratitude written by Seneca, one of the greatest representatives of Stoicism.

When was the last time you gave a gift? Maybe on one of those occasions when they are practically obligatory—a birthday, a wedding—or maybe it was something more spontaneous, like bringing a bottle of wine to a dinner party. Surely you didn't stop to consider that the ability to give, as the great Stoic thinker Seneca maintains, is an essential part of what makes us human.

Seneca asserts that the impulse to give to others is the very foundation of society. Without the ability to help each other, to share resources, we are helpless creatures with little chance of survival. But it's not about giving in any way. When there are ulterior motives, giving degrades and becomes something else. The beauty of the world reminds us that creation is the supreme gift that divinity gives us without expecting anything in return. For Seneca, we are called to give in the way of the gods.

The Art of Giving and Receiving presents a magnificent selection of passages from Seneca's longest and most thorough treatise, On Benefits. Presented with an enlightening introduction, this work conveys the essence of the author's thinking on a topic of perennial interest: the profound meaning of generosity and gratitude.