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Pages are clean with normal wear. May have limited markings & or highlighting within pages & or cover. Includes dustjacket if applicable. May have some wear & creases on the cover. The spine may also have minor wear. Does not come with CD DVD if applicable. Access code has been used if applicable. Does not come with any supplementary materials. Pages are clean with normal wear. May have limited markings & or highlighting within pages & or cover. Includes dustjacket if applicable. May have some wear & creases on the cover. The spine may also have minor wear. Does not come with CD DVD if applicable. Access code has been used if applicable. Does not come with any supplementary materials. See less

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A VERY quick but extremely interesting read...Straight Up Truth Reviews - It Is What It Is

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Seneca

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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)

2,271 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.

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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; 1st edition (September 6, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 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: #25,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #24 in Individual Philosophers (Books)
- #49 in Ancient Greek & Roman Philosophy
- #90 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 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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Readability Philosophy Pacing Value for money Functionality Ease of use Life span Enlightened content

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

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

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

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

73 customers mention "Philosophy"73 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

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

"...- A Modern Translation for the Contemporary Reader", the author shares philosophy 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

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

9 customers mention "Life span"5 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.

"...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

"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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Douglas K
Wise, worthwhile read for any age
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
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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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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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MRochelle
Short Read
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2025
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"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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Benjamin Chen
The Importance Using Time Well
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2025
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"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.

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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
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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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A reader
Simply one of the most profound books I’ve ever read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2022
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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
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Good book but ordered a new version. This one is old English.

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Daniel Laureys
No change in humankind in 20 centuries.
Reviewed in Germany on June 28, 2019
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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.

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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 Wise, worthwhile read for any age

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeless Guide for Modern Life

4.0 out of 5 stars Short Read

5.0 out of 5 stars The Importance Using Time Well

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

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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 No change in humankind in 20 centuries.

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

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesante

Wise, worthwhile read for any age

A Timeless Guide for Modern Life

Short Read

The Importance Using Time Well

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

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

Goodbook

No change in humankind in 20 centuries.

An interesting, light, but not easy to read artwork

Interesante