Today I read and contemplated Seneca's Letter VII, On Crowds,.
"One man means as much to me as a multitude, and a multitude only as much as one man."
As a Stoic, it is within my Nature to invest my time and life into those that reciprocate virtue. Those that reciprocate the desired virtue add value to my life, and so I can assent to calling them my friend. A friend is a preferred indifferent to a Stoic, but one should not confide in someone unless they are a friend. Seneca defines a friend as someone who you are able to trust with your innermost thoughts. In fact, he defines a friend as someone with whom you may even feel as if you are alone. That is to say that you trust this person as much as you trust your own mind. By that definition, I have only one friend in this life. He is a preferred indifferent, sure, however, he is a blessing to my life and adds value and encourages virtue in me.
Further, Seneca advises that a Stoic should not consider the multitudes as he considers such a friend described above. Do not be free with your words in the multitudes because a Stoic seeks Wisdom as a virtue and it is unwise to trust your private words to the masses. Those that seek approval from the masses are not to be trusted, nor should they be considered as friends, therefore. If the multitude praises you, you should not accept their praise as an indication of virtue, rather look inward and examine your own virtues. These are the thoughts that I drew from this letter from Seneca.
It seems to me, then, that it is good to seek solitude, or the company of only a few. It seems reasonable. This statement may seem obvious, but so often I look around and see my acquaintances reveling in the praise of their peers, then seeking that praise more and more, like an addiction. The impact of social media has amplified this effect more than anything that I can think of. Everyone seeks a surface-level love that fades fast and burns out like a candle in a hurricane, whilst they should reasonably seek the love of a single peer, or maybe just a few peers. I, therefore, seek the love of a brother, a friend, rather than the love of the masses that observe me at a distance. Keep in mind, though, that love, be it romantic or brotherly or otherwise, is an indifferent. You/I should be content without it, as it does not affect our virtue. Do not assent to the feelings of loss or the yearning that is natural in a social human creature when you don't find a friend. Keep your mind internal and examine your soul. Contemplate that which strengthens your virtue. Be careful to develop true friendship with those around you before you speak the inner thoughts of your mind. Seek Wisdom, for Wisdom is a virtue.
fin.