On the Shortness of Life

Stoics in Their Own Words, Book 4

By: Seneca

Narrated by: Joseph Kent

Why do we complain of Nature? She has shown herself kindly; life, if you know how to use it, is long. But one man is possessed by an avarice that is insatiable, another by a toilsome devotion to tasks that are useless; one man is besotted with wine, another is paralyzed by sloth; one man is exhausted by an ambition that always hangs upon the decision of others, another, driven on by the greed of the trader, is led over all lands and all seas by the hope of gain; some are tormented by a passion for war and are always either bent upon inflicting danger upon others or concerned about their own; some there are who are worn out by voluntary servitude in a thankless attendance upon the great; many are kept busy either in the pursuit of other men's fortune or in complaining of their own; many, following no fixed aim, shifting and inconstant and dissatisfied, are plunged by their fickleness into plans that are ever new; some have no fixed principle by which to direct their course, but Fate takes them unawares while they loll and yawn - so surely does it happen that I cannot doubt the truth of that utterance which the greatest of poets delivered with all the seeming of an oracle: The part of life we really live is small. For all the rest of existence is not life, but merely time.

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Live a Full Life!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This audiobook is about living your life well and acknowledging that most people reach the end of life despairing how brief their time on Earth was. However, Seneca goes on to explain that it is less about the brevity of life than the fact that we waste so much of it. This is an important lesson, even for people today, who are blessed with longer lives due to modern medicine and technology.

Although written over 2000 years ago, the ideas shared in this audiobook are profound and timeless; therefore, everyone would benefit greatly by internalizing the concepts contained in this audiobook. Also, the narrator did a good job reading this audiobook, and his voice was pleasant.

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Was worthwhile and thoughtful...

Seneca puts life into perspective quite well. One should perhaps listen to this a few times to really appreciate his pondering on life itself....

a lesson about life

life is full of things and this book one of the best teachers for the understatement of this specific thing like life I loved this book very much extremely even it is very good and you learn a lot
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A classic worth listening to!

This classic was narrated well and consists of the clear thought and observation that made Seneca the subject of study of so many would be intellectuals.

I was given this book for free in exchange for this unbiased and honest review. Which this was, brief as it may be.

On the shortness

A short telling of stoic theories and beliefs.I always find them interesting.Joseph Kent was a good narator.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

One for philosophy majors...

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I enjoyed this modern delivery of a classic. Granted, this was not an easy story to follow, but the narrator does a good job, which made it easy to follow. This will not be for everyone, but if you love the classics, philosophy, or simply pondering existence, this might be fore you.

👍🏻

Great narration. Interesting translation. Definitely enjoyed this one.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Stoicism and the allotment of spare time

In his circa 49AD essay Seneca puts forward teaching on the stoic life and how people should live to their utmost. Seneca believes that nature provides enough time to everyone to do what they must and that they must allot their time accordingly.

The first half is primarily focused on how life is wasted by people on pointless pursuits. The second half focuses on his approach to leisure. He talks about separating ones self for the pursuit of things, not being engrossed in it.

There is some good teaching in here, about not being caught up with things and money, but to enjoy life instead. They don't value time in the same way, and thus it is wasted. Yet I also felt that often he was talking from a place of privilege. That much of what he teaches he can apply because he has the means to life that way. Those who toil for a living, just to get by, cannot ever have the luxury of life that he seems to think everyone can have.

Narration by Joseph Kent was good. Well paced and easy to follow. No issues with the voice or production. Not much to work with in the text, but enjoyable work from Kent overall.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Y.O.L.O.

This book drills home how short life is and how quick time passes by. It also points out how most people do not seize the moment before is too late.

That's pretty much it! A constant reminder of how short life is and how fast time flies.

The narrator was reading this book so fast I wasn't sure if time was flying by, or if he was worried that his life was coming to an end soon.

Anyways, I was given this free copy for my honest and unbiased review.

Life is short...

Any additional comments?

Narration was solid and kept me attentive, considering this is not a story to be followed.
The stoics have always intrigued me, and I was pleased to take this audiobook with me while running. The new translation surprised me at times, but I felt it was a nicely done update even though I prefer the original text.

If you're into philosophy, definitely give this a try.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.