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FINDING THE RIGHT MENTORS

“We like to say that we don’t get to choose our parents, that they were given by chance—yet we can truly choose whose children we’d like to be.”

- SENECA, ON THE BREVITY OF LIFE

Summary:
Seneca points out that while we can’t choose our biological parents, we can choose our intellectual and moral role models. We have the freedom to align ourselves with the teachings and values of the wisest individuals, effectively becoming their “spiritual children.”

Interpretation:
In everyday life, this means actively seeking out mentors—whether in person or through books—who embody the character, discipline, and wisdom we admire. As The Daily Stoic often suggests, learning from figures like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, or modern-day leaders helps shape our own thinking and behaviour. You don’t need to inherit good values by birth—you can adopt them through conscious choice. Surround yourself with influences that elevate you, and you’ll grow in the direction of the people you choose to emulate.

 

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