On The Shortness of Life, Seneca
On The Shortness of Life, Seneca
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On The Shortness of Life

Author: Seneca

Narrator: Christopher Naylor

Unabridged: 1 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/15/2026


Synopsis

Life is not short, Seneca argues. We simply waste too much of it.
In On the Shortness of Life, the Roman philosopher and statesman examines how people squander their most precious resource: time. With clarity and conviction, Seneca challenges the pursuit of wealth, status and distraction, urging readers instead to devote themselves to what truly matters.
Combining sharp observation with practical wisdom, he shows how mindful living can free us from needless busyness and help us make better use of the years available to us. His reflections on purpose, mortality and the value of the present moment remain as thought-provoking today as when they were first written.
This complete and unabridged audiobook offers a powerful reminder to live deliberately, treasure time and seek a life of genuine fulfilment.
ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Stoic Classics is an audiobook series bringing the essential works of ancient Stoic philosophy to modern listeners in complete and unabridged editions. Discover timeless wisdom for navigating the challenges, uncertainties and distractions of contemporary life.

About Seneca

Seneca (c. 4 BC-65 AD) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist. As a writer Seneca is known for his philosophical works, and for his plays, which are all tragedies.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Glenn on December 02, 2024

The great Roman philosopher, statesman, dramatist Seneca (BC 4 – AD 64) wrote many letters encouraging friends to apply themselves to the task of living a free, wise, tranquil and joyful life. On the Shortness of Life is one of my personal favorites since Seneca, ever the true eclectic, brilliantly......more

Goodreads review by Bill on July 06, 2019

Now that I've read a few philosophical essays by Seneca the Younger, I am inclined to believe every bad thing I have ever heard about him. Before this, I've cut him some slack. Sure, he—along with his cronies, one of whom was Burrus, prefect of the Praetorian Guard—ruled Rome during his pupil Nero's......more

Goodreads review by Samra on October 21, 2018

"Can anything be more idiotic than certain people who boast of their foresight? They keep themselves officiously preoccupied in order to improve their lives; they spend their lives in organizing their lives. They direct their purposes with an eye to a distant future. But putting things off is the bi......more

Goodreads review by Abubakar on November 08, 2015

This is an excellent philosophical essay written by Seneca, one of the most significant Roman philosophers and one whom we might call the father of Stoicism. The problem is simple, we are never content and happy with our lives and at the end we think it was too short. The solution is even simpler; w......more

Goodreads review by Mark on April 03, 2022

I am writing this review as a layperson, Philosophy isn’t my area of expertise and my level of knowledge is limited at best. I ended up here, as I’ve been researching Rome for an upcoming holiday. I’ve taken an interest in that crazy gang of early Roman Emperors from Augustus to Nero (i.e. the Julio......more