Preview
  • On the Shortness of Life

  • By: Lucius Seneca
  • Narrated by: Clint Arthur
  • Length: 1 hr and 13 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (804 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

On the Shortness of Life

By: Lucius Seneca
Narrated by: Clint Arthur
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $6.95

Buy for $6.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The majority of mortals, Paulinus, complain bitterly of the spitefulness of Nature, because we are born for a brief span of life, because even this space that has been granted to us rushes by so speedily and so swiftly that all save a very few find life at an end just when they are getting ready to live. Nor is it merely the common herd and the unthinking crowd that bemoan what is, as men deem it, an universal ill; the same feeling has called forth complaint also from men who were famous.

Public Domain (P)2015 Clint Arthur
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Featured Article: 25+ of the Best Stoicism Quotes


Stoicism is a school of philosophy dating back to the third century BCE. Founded by Zeno of Citium, the philosophy soon grew to include some of the most influential thinkers of the Greek and Roman era. The Stoic philosophers teach that happiness and fulfillment can be achieved by refusing to be influenced by desire, societal pressures, or anything outside your control. Stoicism is about accepting moments as they arise, and the power of logical thinking. If you're curious about what it is, and how to incorporate it into your daily life, these quotes are the perfect place to start.

What listeners say about On the Shortness of Life

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    536
  • 4 Stars
    169
  • 3 Stars
    63
  • 2 Stars
    24
  • 1 Stars
    12
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    401
  • 4 Stars
    153
  • 3 Stars
    72
  • 2 Stars
    28
  • 1 Stars
    15
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    462
  • 4 Stars
    132
  • 3 Stars
    50
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    6

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Short book with a great message.

Short book with a great message. I found it well worth my time to listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

enjoyed it

great little book. I would recommend it to others. especially if you are looking for an intro into philosophy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So much value-So little time

This book requires multiple readings
So much value to be had. Thank you. Ironic that this review requires additional words in order to submit.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

nice and short

interesting principles, ideas and opinions on the shortness of our life. some of the words weren't clearly spoken but overall might help some people who are struggling with their lives but still are open minded.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Timeless wisdom

The book is short, as is life. The wisdom in this book is plain yet necessary. We live like our life is infinitely long, yet at the face of death we are haunted by its shortness, by wasted time, by our futile efforts on meaningless tasks and by our disrespect to the value of time. The lesson in this short book is more than just living like it’s your last day in the world. It is about the value of time and how it is spent, how we should question our every action and see what value it adds to a fulfilled life. Those who don’t waste time won’t regret its end, for they would have lived every moment to the fullest. That’s the essence of the book if explained in a sentence. Yet, every reader should refrain from the summarized wisdom and reflect on the timeless lesson in the context of their own life. That’s the value that this book brings.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Relevant to my life now

Wish I had read this years ago. It would have definitely guided me to a better life. Great wisdom.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An Excellent And Interesting Essay

I completely enjoyed this work. It is not lengthy. I did read along on Kindle. There is much of Roman history included in this essay, the knowledge of which adds to the enjoyment of it. The essay provides much fuel for thought. Thank You...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Alright

I think reading it would have been better or maybe more context into the time period. Lots of good stuff sprinkled throughout, though sprinkled.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

This is a very very good book. I would highly recommend it if you want wisdom.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A lovely reading.

This piece is something I wish I listened to twenty years ago. Clint read it very well. There’s much wisdom to be gained in under one hour.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!