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On the Shortness of Life by Seneca - Watch BEFORE Buying!George Vlasyev

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On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas) Paperback – September 6, 2005

by Seneca (Author), C. D. N. Costa (Translator)

2,311 ratings

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Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves—and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives—and destroyed them.

Now, Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are. Penguin's Great Ideas series features twelve groundbreaking works by some of history's most prodigious thinkers, and each volume is beautifully packaged with a unique type-drive design that highlights the bookmaker's art. Offering great literature in great packages at great prices, this series is ideal for those readers who want to explore and savor the Great Ideas that have shaped the world.

The Stoic writings of the philosopher Seneca, who lived from c. 5 BC to AD 65, offer powerful insights into the art of living, the importance of reason and morality, and continue to provide profound guidance to many through their eloquence, lucidity and timeless wisdom. This selection of Seneca's orks was taken from the Penguin Classics edition of Dialogues and Letters, translated by C.D.N. Costa, and includes the essays On the Shortness of Life, Consolation to Helvia, and On Tranquility of Mind.

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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

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 6, 2005
Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 105 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143036327
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143036326
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.21 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.09 x 6.14 x 9.21 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #38,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #28 in Individual Philosophers (Books)
- #68 in Ancient Greek & Roman Philosophy
- #98 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality

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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.

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Customers find this book to be a wonderful quick read with compelling wisdom that gets thought processes going. The content is concise and eloquent, and customers consider it worth its price. The book's functionality and ease of use receive positive feedback, while opinions about its life span aspect are mixed.

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Readability Insight Content Value for money Functionality Ease of use Life span Enlightened content

100 customers mention "Readability"97 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a wonderful quick read with amazing content.

"Great book...." Read more

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

"Short and sweet philosophical book on exactly what the title says - the shortness of life...." Read more

"Good read. However the book came with a slight tear on the cover. Was a bit disappointed" Read more

70 customers mention "Insight"70 positive0 negative

Customers find this philosophical book insightful, with compelling wisdom that gets thought processes going. One customer notes how it emphasizes learning philosophy in a practical manner, while another mentions how it encourages readers to reflect on their priorities.

"Excellent. Much to ponder" Read more

"Life changing. I highlighted most of the book with things I wanted to remember on a daily basis." Read more

"Insightful..." Read more

"...is a wonderful quick read for anyone interested in this beautiful philosophy." Read more

17 customers mention "Content"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the content of the book, finding it eloquent and concise, with a nice design. One customer mentions it provides a nice look at different philosophers, while another notes that the content is self-explanatory.

"...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

"Sometimes the most meaningful writing is short and to the point, yet eloquent. This is it." Read more

"I've ordered the used book and it turned out to be looking super NEW! Thank you!" 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

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.

"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

"Powerful and Insightful Read..." Read more

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

5 customers mention "Ease of use"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to use.

"...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

"Interesting book and philosophy. Easy to get into, This series is really a nice look at different philosophers." Read more

8 customers mention "Life span"4 positive4 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.

"This volume illustrates how to extend your allotted lifetime by two or three millennia! It is worth a couple of hours to read!" 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

"Times passes relentlessly - doing anything other than improving our inner self is to throw the little time we’ll know away - we’ll never have that..." 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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Tuomas R
Time of your life
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase

This shows you why we should use our time for good purpose and how to put it in good use to make a good life through philosophical wisdom it offers. Seneca’s style of writing inspires us on the matter at hand not to waste our time and energy on petty, trivial and shallow things in this fragile existence of ours and achieving more nobler causes than these. These writings still regardless of their age are in relevance, because of human nature hasn’t change even since this was written.

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W. Campbell
A Timeless Guide for Modern Life
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2025
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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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J.S.
Still Good Advice
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2025
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This is one of several translations of this work available for purchase online, evidently the most recent. The translators are Angelo Zammit and John William Basore, the latter of whom participated in a 2023 translation of the same work. I can't really be sure how much the first translator depends on the work of the second, but the volume is in modern English, although, in the e-book version, there may be some unnecessary repetition. For all that, it's full of good advice, the Stoic outlook on living a worthwhile life.

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Max Seigel
For $7, definitely worth it. But the better question is, is it worth your time?
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I just started getting into reading philosophy and self help books. It's quite amazing how these people were so ahead of their time in terms of thinking. Seneca makes some great points. I like how he brings up the preoccupied people who are only concerned with the present, who don't realize how long they have until it's too late because they never realize how much time has passed and the uncertainty of the future. It's like pouring water in a cup with no bottom. How can you know how much water was poured when it isn't filling up but instead going right through the cup? At the same time, how do you know when the water will cease to flow? That's why it's so important to keep perspective of time. Don't just live in the moment. Understand the context of the moment. He stresses the importance of examining your past because it is solidified and unchangeable. There, you are able to observe those things you did well and those you didn't do well, so that you can make changes in the present to live a more productive and efficient life. He sums it up very astutely and simplistically with the little poem, "Life's finest day for wretched mortals here Is always first to flee."
I also liked the quote from page 27 when he says "we lose the day in waiting for the night and the night in fearing for the dawn." He is saying we are waiting for the perfect moment, or the moment of joy and pleasure. But in waiting we lose all the time preceding that moment. And as soon as the moment comes we fear it's end. It's a constant vicious cycle and we can never win.
Another great quote is on page 5 when he says "the greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. Very powerful insight. It's like we're waiting and waiting and hoping whatever we want comes our way, but in doing that, we lose the time at hand. Plus, waiting and hoping something works out is putting your money on the future which is uncertain. That's why expecting something to happen is not enough, because you're betting on luck instead of making it happen through the action you take. As Abraham Lincoln said, "the best way to predict the future is to create it."
There are many great quotes but the last one I will share is on page 56 when he says "No man is despised by another unless he is first despised by himself. An object and debased mind is susceptible to such insult; but if a man stirs himself to face the worst of disasters and defeats the evils which overwhelm others, then he wears those very sorrows like a sacred badge. For we are naturally disposed to admire more than anything else the man who shows fortitude in adversity." I think what he's basically saying is that you need to love yourself before anyone else can love you. People will show you the amount of love in proportion to the amount of love you give yourself. The two quotes that come to mind that relate are "those who stand for nothing will fall for anything" and "if there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do no harm." If you conquer the worst of your fears, the same fears that destroys others, then you will take pride in the very thing that you feared, and people will admire and respect that you had the guts to face it, instead of chastising and scorning you. So you should feel no shame in your problems for they are the very thing that will earn you the admiration of others if you are able to conquer them, but more importantly, it will strengthen you and help you grow as a person. His other quote that piggy backs off that is "If a great man falls and remains great as he lies, people no more despise him than they stamp on a fallen temple, which the devout still warship as much as when it was standing." In other words, it's not about what happens to you or how you fall, but about how your react and carry yourself, and your character, that will resonate with others. Anyway these are just some examples of the bits of wisdom Seneca offers. Overall, there is some timeless wisdom in his essay and I believe it is worth your time to read it.

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Ky
Must read
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
"On the Shortness of Life" is more relevant today than ever, as modern life tempts us with endless distractions and busyness. Seneca's call to prioritize meaningful living offers a powerful antidote to our culture of constant noise and wasted time.

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A reader
Simply one of the most profound books I’ve ever read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2022
Format: KindleVerified 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.
Goodbook
Reviewed in the Netherlands on April 6, 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Good book but ordered a new version. This one is old English.

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Amazon Customer
Great Stoic essay
Reviewed in Germany on May 21, 2025
Verified Purchase
Great essay on stoicism
Must read on Stoic philosophy

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Jean Pablo Sciacca
An interesting, light, but not easy to read artwork
Reviewed in Spain on May 10, 2023
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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
Interesante
Reviewed in Japan on January 3, 2025
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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.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Time of your life

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeless Guide for Modern Life

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Good Advice

5.0 out of 5 stars For $7, definitely worth it. But the better question is, is it worth your time?

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply one of the most profound books I’ve ever read

4.0 out of 5 stars Goodbook

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Stoic essay

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting, light, but not easy to read artwork

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesante

Time of your life

A Timeless Guide for Modern Life

Still Good Advice

For $7, definitely worth it. But the better question is, is it worth your time?

Must read

Simply one of the most profound books I’ve ever read

Goodbook

Great Stoic essay

An interesting, light, but not easy to read artwork

Interesante