On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays cover art

On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays

Essays, Volume 1

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays

By: Seneca
Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $21.99

Buy Now for $21.99

About this listen

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.

Public Domain (P)2016 Ukemi Productions Ltd Philosophy Seneca Shortness
All stars
Most relevant
Great advice on dealing with injuries and insults - to strengthen our resolve and maintain inner peace

Great Advice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
some parts drift on, and get lost in rhetoric. However, the Stoic message is always clear and strong.
Highly recommended and very well read.

another powerful Stoic voice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Okay so while we don't have to discipline our slaves or have a need to spend time serving in a legion anymore, I was more surprised at how many of the existential concerns were had by those 2000 years ago which are shared with us! Spending away your life worrying about the wheat market sounds very reminiscent of stock brokers at wall street grinding out until they realize their life has passed by! It's also funny hearing that books were used to make people look smart back then as they are sometimes used these days too :D

Surprising how relevant it still is

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have been interested in learning more about stoic philosophy and this was an easy way to get an insight. I listened to at 1.5 speed and was able to get what I wanted from it.

Easy way to digest the foundation of stoicism

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Similar to the Msg from Marcus Aurelius Meditations. I will definitely read more of Seneca

Great book. Similar to the Msg from Marcus Aureliu

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.