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On the Shortness of Life Kindle Edition

by Lucius Annaeus Seneca (Author), A. Stewart (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 2,241 ratings

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On the Shortness of Life in English is a moral essay written by Seneca the Younger in 49 AD, a Roman Stoic philosopher, to his father-in-law Paulinus. The philosopher brings up many Stoic principles on the nature of time, namely that men waste much of it in meaningless pursuits. According to the essay, nature gives man enough time to do what is really important and the individual must allot it properly. In general, time can be best used in the study of philosophy, according to Seneca.

The same title is also given to a different letter, number 49 in the Letters to Lucilius.
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  1. Print length
    31 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    September 20, 2017
  4. File size
    1.0 MB
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, statesman, philosopher, advocate and man of letters, was born at Cordoba in Spain around 4 BC. He rose to prominence in Rome, pursuing a career in the courts and political life, for which he had been trained, while also acquiring celebrity as an author of tragedies and essays. Falling foul of successive emperors (Caligula in AD 39 and Claudius in AD 41), he spent eight years in exile, allegedly for an affair with Caligula’s sister. Recalled in AD 49, he was made praetor and was appointed tutor to the boy who was to become, in AD 54, the emperor Nero. On Nero’s succession, Seneca acted for some eight years as an unofficial chief minister. The early part of this reign was remembered as a period of sound government, for which the main credit seems due to Seneca. His control over Nero declined as enemies turned the emperor against him with representations that his popularity made him a danger, or with accusations of immorality or excessive wealth. Retiring from public life he devoted his last three years to philosophy and writing, particularly the Letters to Lucilius. In AD 65 following the discovery of a plot against the emperor, in which he was thought to be implicated, he and many others were compelled by Nero to commit suicide. His fame as an essayist and dramatist lasted until two or three centuries ago, when he passed into literary oblivion, from which the twentieth century has seen a considerable recovery.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

On the Shortness of Life

Most human beings, Paulinus,* complain about the meanness of nature, because we are born for a brief span of life, and because this spell of time that has been given to us rushes by so swiftly and rapidly that with very few exceptions life ceases for the rest of us just when we are getting ready for it. Nor is it just the man in the street and the unthinking mass of people who groan over this - as they see it - universal evil: the same feeling lies behind complaints from even distinguished men. Hence the dictum of the greatest of doctors:† 'Life is short, art is long.' Hence too the grievance, most improper to a wise man, which Aristotle expressed when he was taking nature to task for indulging animals with such long existences that they can live through five or ten human lifetimes, while a far shorter limit is set for men who are born to a great and extensive destiny. It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested.

* A friend of Seneca’s.
† Hippocrates

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B075THP2VL
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ LRP; 1st edition (September 20, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 20, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 31 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 2,241 ratings

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Seneca

Seneca

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Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BC – AD 65), also known as Seneca the Younger, was a Hispano-Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman and dramatist.

Fabulous wealth, literary fame, exile, an amazing come back to the height of political power and a tragic ending the life of Seneca is one of the great untold stories of Ancient Rome.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,241 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a wonderful quick read with compelling wisdom that gets thought processes going. The book is well-presented, concise, and customers consider it worth its price. They appreciate its functionality and ease of use, with one customer noting it's written in an easy-to-understand style. The life span aspect receives mixed reactions, with some finding life not short while others disagree.

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102 customers mention "Readability"99 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a wonderful quick read and one of the great books of all time.

"...written in an easy to understand style, it's short, wise and a worthy read at any age, especially if you feel like you're getting older. “..." Read more

"...encouraging readers to reflect on their priorities and make the most of their time." Read more

"...A short read through various examples throughout history comparing and contrasting on the use of time...." Read more

"...This modern translation makes the ancient philosopher's wisdom accessible without diluting its power...." Read more

72 customers mention "Philosophy"72 positive0 negative

Customers praise this philosophical book for its compelling wisdom and ability to get thought processes going, with one customer noting how it encourages readers to reflect on their priorities.

"I read this book on my birthday, and it provided some wisdom about getting older and the shortness of life...." Read more

"...Overall, this modern translation serves as a concise yet impactful guide, encouraging readers to reflect on their priorities and make the most of..." Read more

"...- A Modern Translation for the Contemporary Reader", the author shares philosophy of life...." Read more

"...If love the words and wisdom of classical Greek philosophers, as I do, then this is a must read. Enjoy!" Read more

18 customers mention "Pacing"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing, finding it eloquent and concise, with one customer noting it is written in an easy-to-understand style.

"...It's written in an easy to understand style, it's short, wise and a worthy read at any age, especially if you feel like you're getting older...." Read more

"...Overall, this modern translation serves as a concise yet impactful guide, encouraging readers to reflect on their priorities and make the most of..." Read more

"Seneca's On the Shortness of Life is a masterpiece work of the ancient Stoic philosophy that will take you on a thought-provoking journey of..." Read more

"...This work can be read in a short amount of time. It makes sense, but no more to me than other works or authors...." Read more

11 customers mention "Value for money"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth its price, with one mentioning that financial success is attainable by everyone.

"...His writing can be a bit tough to get into, but it's worth it. Seriously, you should read it." Read more

"...financial success is attainable by everyone; though the life that accompanies it will be throttled..." Read more

"...It's an affordable book, pick one up." Read more

"Its a good book and definitely worth its price. You could see the view of a philosopher from our old world!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Functionality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book useful and powerful.

"...anything regarding the Stoics; for this philosophy is practical and functioning - not the round-about word-games of contemporary philosophy...." Read more

"The first part of the book was great and very useful. The 2nd part was all over the place and the final chapter brang it back to life." Read more

"I like the book and the cover. The book is short, readable, and powerful. The cover is simple and rich to touch." Read more

"short yet powerful" Read more

6 customers mention "Ease of use"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to use.

"...the translation/editing of this volume really work well to make for an easy, worthwhile read." Read more

"...this topic really interesting and appreciated that this was a short, easy, yet eye-opening read...." Read more

"...The core takeaway is simple. Be mindful of and purposeful with your time...." Read more

"...Seneca with great clarity and makes this book an easy read and an easy favorite...." Read more

8 customers mention "Life span"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed views on the book's perspective on life span, with some appreciating that life is not short and can be extended, while others focus on its emphasis on the brevity of existence.

"...and it provided some wisdom about getting older and the shortness of life...." Read more

"...3. Present time is very brief, so brief, indeed, that to some there seems to be none;..." Read more

"...Life is not short, we just waste it. Good book to read and came undamaged" Read more

"...sweet philosophical book on exactly what the title says - the shortness of life. A big takeaway is that if you waste your time, life will be short...." Read more

5 customers mention "Enlightened content"0 positive5 negative

Customers find the book's content unenlightening, with one customer describing it as boring.

"The book is short only 60 pages, found it boring and thought it was going to be more insightful." Read more

"...I found the middle part to be uninteresting. But overall the insights are worth the read and price...." Read more

"The book is okay but not as enlightening as what I expected." Read more

"Great book, terrible binding..." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Douglas K
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wise, worthwhile read for any age
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book on my birthday, and it provided some wisdom about getting older and the shortness of life. It's written in an easy to understand style, it's short, wise and a worthy read at any age, especially if you feel like you're getting older.

    “The problem isn’t that our lives are inherently brief; it’s that we waste most of our time.”

    So, what is the solution? According to Seneca, not fame, fortune, drinking, lust or frivolous pleasures. Instead, he suggests we think about our lives, read more, reflect more, study philosophy and hang out with friends and family.

    Don't put it off, Seneca says, start today.

    I'm really glad I read it. It's wise, short and simple, and the translation/editing of this volume really work well to make for an easy, worthwhile read.
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  • Benjamin Chen
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Importance Using Time Well
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    ​"On The Shortness Of Life: A Modern Translation for the Contemporary Reader" is a recent adaptation of Seneca's classic work, aiming to bring his timeless wisdom into the modern era. Overall, this modern translation serves as a concise yet impactful guide, encouraging readers to reflect on their priorities and make the most of their time.
    Helpful
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  • MRochelle
    4.0 out of 5 stars Short Read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    "On The Shortness Of Life - A Modern Translation for the Contemporary Reader", the author shares philosophy of life.
    A short read through various examples throughout history comparing and contrasting on the use of time.
    In the last chapter, "Mastering Time and The Art of Living", my expectation of having strategies, and or recommendations to help me incorporate effective use of my time was not given.
    A quick and read.
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  • W. Campbell
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeless Guide for Modern Life
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    In an age of endless notifications and constant busyness, Seneca's "On The Shortness of Life" feels more relevant than ever. This modern translation makes the ancient philosopher's wisdom accessible without diluting its power.
    The book's central message hits hard: we don't actually have too little time; we waste too much of it. As someone juggling work, family, and the endless parade of daily distractions, this truth struck a particularly deep chord. Seneca's observations about human nature—our tendency to get caught up in trivial dramas, our postponement of meaningful pursuits, our obsession with fleeting pleasures—are so spot-on they could have been written yesterday, not two thousand years ago.
    Seneca's insights into human nature—such as our tendency to become entangled in trivial dramas, our habit of postponing meaningful pursuits, and our obsession with fleeting pleasures—are so accurate that they could have been written yesterday, rather than two thousand years ago. If love the words and wisdom of classical Greek philosophers, as I do, then this is a must read. Enjoy!
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  • AI enthusiast
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Seneca's On the Shortness of Life is a masterpiece work of the ancient Stoic philosophy that will take you on a thought-provoking journey of timeless revelations, eye-opening insights, and profound life lessons. I have not been familiar with all of these revelations, and this truly fascinated me. A very good book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Asko Korpela
    3.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom and platitudes
    Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Wisdom and platitudes
    I have listened on radio a discussion of two wise men about this book On the shortness of life by an Antique master Seneca. No point denying the interest and importance of the subject. Not even at the protracted age of mine, 81. And the further it continues, the swifter it goes towards the inexcusable end. In this respect nothing has changed in 2000 years since Seneca. But what was the wisdom of this book?
    I marked three sentences as the kernel of Seneca's argumentation and story.
    1. It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it.
    2. Can anything be sillier than the point of view of certain people — I mean those who boast of their foresight?
    3. Present time is very brief, so brief, indeed, that to some there seems to be none;
    They seem to be very true, but somewhat self-evident and truisms at the same time. Everybody's experience. But perhaps a top philosopher is needed to express and explain them in words.
    What else did I learn of this miniature book? Some features of the Roman life 2000 years ago. About the narrowest of the social class being able of considering this kind of wisdom. Some seed of doubt creeps to my mind. Has not any manual worker, not to speak of accompanying slaves, the same thinking organ of brains than their masters? And a piquant detail: already that time Romans used to burn brown their skin on the beach!
    There was one grain of wisdom that I did not understand and consider more snobbish truism than a real wisdom.
    "It takes the whole of life to learn how to live, and — what will perhaps make you wonder more — it takes the whole of life to learn how to die." Somehow I do not understand the latter part, whole life learning to die. What on earth can it mean? I at least, have not been trying to learn denying.
    I cannot deny that I was disappointed, although did not expect too much on the basis of the radio program I had listened. More than three stars I cannot allow?
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • A reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simply one of the most profound books I’ve ever read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Despite being written nearly 2000 years ago, Seneca feels as fresh and as relevant as any modern or recent philosopher, and a good deal more practical. Every page is studded with gems that defy expectation, and give the lie to any notions one might have about the ancients being somehow primitive (an easy intuition to fall into).

    This is the book that, above all others, has marked, and continues to mark my life and thinking. Seneca is right, “the life we receive is not short, but we make it so, nor do we have any lack of it, but are wasteful of it”, and that many people are far too engrossed in others’ realities to do much of what one might truly call living.

    Read this, and preferably while you are as young as possible, or else it will likely be painful when you do.

    This is the best translation in my option, and the more modern ones lose some of the poetic beauty of his prose.
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  • Little problem with tracking but this company contacted me quickly, Thank You I Recommend this business.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Goodbook
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on April 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Good book but ordered a new version. This one is old English.
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  • Daniel Laureys
    5.0 out of 5 stars No change in humankind in 20 centuries.
    Reviewed in Germany on June 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Although some people think that humanity changes with every generation this book proofs it doesn’t even change in a 100 generations. One annoying thing with the Kindle version is that it seems to stop at page 41 of 44.
    Report
  • Jean Pablo Sciacca
    5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting, light, but not easy to read artwork
    Reviewed in Spain on May 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I find this topic very interesting, and I appreciate greatly the work behind this works of art, pieces of knowledge that everybody should consider reading, to reinterpret and reflect upon life. It is quite a challenge for me, its unique old-fashioned writing style can make you read twice before comprehending, so I advice everyone to do it with an online dictionary in front of them, not only you are going to read a complete masterpiece that will make you question in what you aim for in life but among the journey you will discover new, enrichened vocabulary.
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  • Jeffisato
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesante
    Reviewed in Japan on January 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book is not about how short one’s life is. It’s more about how one can utilize and optimize his time on this earth.
    Report

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