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On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays
- Essays, Volume 1
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
Non-member price: $23.87
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On Anger, on Leisure, on Clemency
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- By: Seneca
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
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'On Anger' is one of Seneca's most important essays. At some length he investigates the nature of anger: how and why it emerges, the effect it has on the individual and those to whom it is directed, and how to manage it and prevent it even from arising. For, Seneca considers, anger simply serves no purpose - it does not bring courage in war, prevent others misbehaving or punish miscreants. In short it has a negative effect on all. In 'On Leisure' he takes a short look at what is really meant by the term.
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Letters from a Stoic
- Penguin Classics
- By: Seneca
- Narrated by: Julian Glover
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
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Seeing self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', the Stoic philosophy called for the restraint of animal instincts and the importance of upright ethical ideals and virtuous living. Seneca's writings are a profound, powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.
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The Enchiridion & Discourses
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- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
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The Enchiridion is the famous manual of ethical advice given in the second century by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Born to a Greek slave, Epictetus grew up in the environment of the Roman Empire and, having been released from bonds of slavery, became a stoic in the tradition of its originators, Zeno (third Century BCE) and Seneca (first century CE).
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Great philosophy
- By Bradley on 25-04-2017
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The Moral Epistles
- 124 Letters to Lucilius
- By: Seneca the Younger
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 23 hrs and 18 mins
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Towards the end of his life, Seneca the Younger (c4 BCE-65 CE) began a correspondence with a friend in Sicily, later collected under the title The Moral Epistles. In these 124 letters, Seneca expresses, in a wise, steady and calm manner, the philosophy by which he lived - derived essentially from the Stoics. The letters deal with a variety of specific topics - often eminently practical - such as 'On Saving Time', 'On the Terrors of Death', 'On True and False Friendships', 'On Brawn and Brains' and 'On Old Age and Death'.
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Not as good as other of Seneca but still worth lis
- By Andrew on 06-08-2019
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Meditations
- By: Marcus Aurelius, George Long - translator, Duncan Steen - translator
- Narrated by: Duncan Steen
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
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One of the most significant books ever written by a head of state, the Meditations are a collection of philosophical thoughts by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180 ce). Covering issues such as duty, forgiveness, brotherhood, strength in adversity and the best way to approach life and death, the Meditations have inspired thinkers, poets and politicians since their first publication more than 500 years ago. Today, the book stands as one of the great guides and companions - a cornerstone of Western thought.
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Meditations
- By PD on 09-05-2019
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Meditations
- Penguin Classics
- By: Marcus Aurelius, Diskin Clay, Martin Hammond
- Narrated by: Richard Armitage
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Written in Greek by an intellectual Roman emperor without any intention of publication, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius offer a wide range of fascinating spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the leader struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Spanning from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation, they cover such diverse topics as the question of virtue, human rationality, the nature of the gods and Aurelius's own emotions.
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an unexpected and memorable Book!
- By Yasmine Sander on 02-10-2019
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On Anger, on Leisure, on Clemency
- Essays, Volume 2
- By: Seneca
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
'On Anger' is one of Seneca's most important essays. At some length he investigates the nature of anger: how and why it emerges, the effect it has on the individual and those to whom it is directed, and how to manage it and prevent it even from arising. For, Seneca considers, anger simply serves no purpose - it does not bring courage in war, prevent others misbehaving or punish miscreants. In short it has a negative effect on all. In 'On Leisure' he takes a short look at what is really meant by the term.
-
Letters from a Stoic
- Penguin Classics
- By: Seneca
- Narrated by: Julian Glover
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeing self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', the Stoic philosophy called for the restraint of animal instincts and the importance of upright ethical ideals and virtuous living. Seneca's writings are a profound, powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.
-
The Enchiridion & Discourses
- By: Epictetus
- Narrated by: Haward B. Morse
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
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The Enchiridion is the famous manual of ethical advice given in the second century by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Born to a Greek slave, Epictetus grew up in the environment of the Roman Empire and, having been released from bonds of slavery, became a stoic in the tradition of its originators, Zeno (third Century BCE) and Seneca (first century CE).
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Great philosophy
- By Bradley on 25-04-2017
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The Moral Epistles
- 124 Letters to Lucilius
- By: Seneca the Younger
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 23 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Towards the end of his life, Seneca the Younger (c4 BCE-65 CE) began a correspondence with a friend in Sicily, later collected under the title The Moral Epistles. In these 124 letters, Seneca expresses, in a wise, steady and calm manner, the philosophy by which he lived - derived essentially from the Stoics. The letters deal with a variety of specific topics - often eminently practical - such as 'On Saving Time', 'On the Terrors of Death', 'On True and False Friendships', 'On Brawn and Brains' and 'On Old Age and Death'.
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-
Not as good as other of Seneca but still worth lis
- By Andrew on 06-08-2019
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Meditations
- By: Marcus Aurelius, George Long - translator, Duncan Steen - translator
- Narrated by: Duncan Steen
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the most significant books ever written by a head of state, the Meditations are a collection of philosophical thoughts by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180 ce). Covering issues such as duty, forgiveness, brotherhood, strength in adversity and the best way to approach life and death, the Meditations have inspired thinkers, poets and politicians since their first publication more than 500 years ago. Today, the book stands as one of the great guides and companions - a cornerstone of Western thought.
-
-
Meditations
- By PD on 09-05-2019
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Meditations
- Penguin Classics
- By: Marcus Aurelius, Diskin Clay, Martin Hammond
- Narrated by: Richard Armitage
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
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Written in Greek by an intellectual Roman emperor without any intention of publication, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius offer a wide range of fascinating spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the leader struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Spanning from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation, they cover such diverse topics as the question of virtue, human rationality, the nature of the gods and Aurelius's own emotions.
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an unexpected and memorable Book!
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The Art of Learning takes listeners through Waitzkin's unique journey to excellence. He explains in clear detail how a well-thought-out, principled approach to learning is what separates success from failure. Waitzkin believes that achievement, even at the championship level, is a function of a lifestyle that fuels a creative, resilient growth process.
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Rocked my world
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In this groundbreaking audiobook, Atul Gawande makes a compelling argument for the checklist, which he believes to be the most promising method available in surmounting failure. Whether you're following a recipe, investing millions of dollars in a company or building a skyscraper, the checklist is an essential tool in virtually every area of our lives, and Gawande explains how breaking down complex, high pressure tasks into small steps can radically improve everything from airline safety to heart surgery survival rates.
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Makes you think
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Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality, Beyond the Pleasure Principle, The Ego and the Id
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Here are three key works by Sigmund Freud which, published in the first decades of the 20th century, underpinned his developing views and had such a dramatic effect on world society. In the uncompromising Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality (1905), he declared that 'sexual aberrations' are not limited to the insane but exist in 'normal' people to a greater or lesser degree. The three essays are divided between sexual perversions, childhood sexuality and puberty.
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How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
- The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius
- By: Donald Robertson
- Narrated by: Donald Robertson
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Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was the final famous Stoic philosopher of the ancient world. The Meditations, his personal journal, survives as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, psychotherapist Donald Robertson weaves stories of Marcus’ life from the Roman histories together with explanations of Stoicism - its philosophy and its psychology - to enlighten today’s listeners. He discusses Stoic techniques for coping with problems such as irrational fears, bad habits, anger, pain, and illness.
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Most Excellent
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The Socratic Dialogues: Early Period, Volume 1
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Here are the Socratic Dialogues presented as Plato designed them to be - living discussions between friends and protagonists, with the personality of Socrates himself coming alive as he deals with a host of subjects, from justice and inspiration to courage, poetry and the gods. Plato's Socratic Dialogues provide a bedrock for classical Western philosophy. For centuries they have been read, studied and discussed via the flat pages of books, but the ideal medium for them is the spoken word.
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A Guide to the Good Life
- The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
- By: William B. Irvine
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
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One of the great fears many of us face is that despite all our effort and striving, we will discover at the end that we have wasted our life. In A Guide to the Good Life, William B. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of Stoic philosophy, one of the most popular and successful schools of thought in ancient Rome, and shows how its insight and advice are still remarkably applicable to modern lives. In A Guide to the Good Life, Irvine offers a refreshing presentation of Stoicism, showing how this ancient philosophy can still direct us toward a better life.
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Really good introduction
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Stoicism Collection: Meditations, On the Shortness of Life, and Enchiridion
- By: Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus
- Narrated by: Jonathan Waters
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
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This Stoicism audiobook collection contains three of the most influential Stoic pieces. Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus helped to shape Stoicism with their writings of "Meditations", "On the Shortness of Life", and "Enchiridion".
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Stoic philosphy
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The Dream of Reason, New Edition
- A History of Western Philosophy from the Greeks to the Renaissance
- By: Anthony Gottlieb
- Narrated by: Anthony Gottlieb
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Already a classic, this landmark study of early Western thought now appears in a new edition with expanded coverage of the Middle Ages. Author Anthony Gottlieb looks afresh at the writings of the great thinkers, questions much of conventional wisdom, and explains his findings with unbridled brilliance and clarity. From the pre-Socratic philosophers through the celebrated days of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, up to Renaissance visionaries like Erasmus and Bacon, philosophy emerges here as a phenomenon unconfined by any one discipline.
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Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition, 3rd Edition
- By: The Great Courses, Alan Charles Kors, Darren Staloff, and others
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- Length: 43 hrs and 41 mins
- Original Recording
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For 3,000 years, mankind has grappled with fundamental questions about life. What is real? Who or what is God? When is it legitimate for one person to have power over others? What is justice? Beauty? This 84-lecture, 12-professor tour of Western philosophical tradition covers more than 60 of history's greatest minds and brings you a comprehensive survey of the history of Western philosophy from its origins in classical Greece to the present.
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Some speakers better than others
- By Stacey on 23-01-2019
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The Confessions of St. Augustine
- By: St. Augustine, R.S. Pine-Coffin - translator
- Narrated by: Mark Meadows
- Length: 14 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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A story of spiritual awakening, St. Augustine's Confessions is a fascinating look at the life of an eminent Christian thinker. Widely seen as one of the first Western autobiographies ever written, it chronicles the life and religious struggles of Augustine of Hippo, from his days as a self-confessed sinner to his acceptance of Christianity as an older adult.
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inspiring thoughts
- By David Graieg on 24-09-2020
Publisher's Summary
As former tutor and adviser to Emperor Nero, philosopher and statesman Seneca was acutely aware of how short life can be - his own life was cut short when the emperor ordered him to commit suicide (for alleged involvement in a conspiracy). And Seneca proved true to his words - his lifelong avowal to Stoicism enabled him to conduct himself with dignity to the end.
During his rich and busy life, Seneca wrote a series of essays that have advised and enriched the lives of generations down to the present day. This collection contains five of the key essays - 'On the Shortness of Life', 'On the Happy Life', 'On the Tranquil Mind', 'On Providence' and 'On the Firmness of the Wise Person' - and they are replete with observations to remember.
'Those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear for the future have a life that is very brief and troubled,' Seneca warns.
'You have all the fears of mortals and all the desires of immortals.'
'As long as we wander at random, not following any guide except the shouts and discordant clamours of those who invite us to proceed in different directions, our short life will be wasted in useless roamings.'
Clarity, steadfastness and true enjoyment are his watchwords.
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What listeners say about On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Amazon Customer
- 07-08-2020
another powerful Stoic voice
some parts drift on, and get lost in rhetoric. However, the Stoic message is always clear and strong. Highly recommended and very well read.
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- Andrew
- 24-02-2018
Great book. Similar to the Msg from Marcus Aureliu
Similar to the Msg from Marcus Aurelius Meditations. I will definitely read more of Seneca
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- Tobias A. Matejovsky
- 13-12-2018
Completely relevant, ageless wisdom
It is remarkable to see how well Seneca's observations and advice hold up, literally thousands of years later. Delivery is straight and unpretentious. The content is easier to consume a little at a time, if desired.
4 people found this helpful
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- Andreea Marin
- 05-03-2017
The Stoic Has Spoken!
Would you listen to On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays again? Why?
yes. It felt like listening to an elderly grandfather pass on his wisdom on life before he goes. It's filled with life-strengthening lessons and highly inspirational anecdotes. It's so different to hear about discipline in this light.
What was one of the most memorable moments of On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays?
The way Seneca talks to a young student and you feel like his lessons are out of pure caring and not for profit or networking when the same topics come from a different source in the 21st century.
What does James Cameron Stewart bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I found that having a strong male voice was perfect because it was like having Seneca speaking. It made the advice authoritative.
3 people found this helpful
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- Michael Chelberg
- 19-12-2018
Enlightening, empowering
Crucial life lessons with profound consequences to the reader, when digested within it's intended original context, this book is a must read to help address life's biggest challenges
2 people found this helpful
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- Joe
- 29-06-2019
As relevant today as when it was written
I have read a few books about Seneca's works. Hearing his essays directly, without commentary, or analysis was very enjoyable. I would recommend this audio book to anyone who is curious about stoicism. Seneca's essays will benefit the critical mind to put the challenges of life into a rational perspective.
1 person found this helpful
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- Ron Peters
- 23-05-2017
Seneca and James Cameron Stewart both excellent!
A good selection of Seneca's Essays and Dialogs; it's especially nice to have On The Firmness of the Wise Man included, since it is not widely available in print.
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- Alexander
- 12-04-2017
overhyped expectations?
I hear so much about Seneca that I was excited to listen to this, but this ended up being almost unlistenable. I'm sure there's great stuff in here, but between the unnecessary verbosity where 1 word would suffice for the 10 chosen, plus the narrator's voice, I couldn't even get through the entir audiobook (and I listen to a lot).
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-03-2020
becomes irrelevant
this audiobook started off well with some profound advice on the shortness of life. however the other essays and there are 90 in total became increasingly difficult to understand or make relevant to today's society or thinking. the narrator spoke in a suitably solemn tone
1 person found this helpful
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- HARRY
- 25-05-2018
A good read.
Really enjoyed it, easy to listen to. Pleased , looking forward to the next one.
4 people found this helpful
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- H MCGAHAN
- 07-12-2020
Old man - wise. Old words - wise. Great narration.
A lovely dip-in miscellany of refreshingly interactive, Kant free, philocafe chat. Sumptuous. A good buy. Plunge!
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