De Vita Beata (English: On a Happy Life) is an insightful essay penned by Seneca the Younger, a prominent Roman Stoic philosopher, likely composed between 58 and 62 AD, as a discourse on the nature of happiness and its pursuit.
The essay expounds on the idea that true happiness is rooted in cultivating inner virtues, living in accordance with reason, and maintaining a tranquil mind in the face of life's challenges. Seneca emphasizes the importance of self-mastery, detachment from external circumstances, and moral integrity as essential components of a content and fulfilling life.