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On the Shortness of Life Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 745 ratings
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The majority of mortals, Paulinus, complain bitterly of the spitefulness of Nature, because we are born for a brief span of life, because even this space that has been granted to us rushes by so speedily and so swiftly that all save a very few find life at an end just when they are getting ready to live. Nor is it merely the common herd and the unthinking crowd that bemoan what is, as men deem it, an universal ill; the same feeling has called forth complaint also from men who were famous.

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  1. Listening Length
    1 hour and 13 minutes
  2. Author
    Lucius Seneca
  3. Narrator
    Clint Arthur
  4. Audible release date
    July 21, 2015
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Wharton Entrepreneur Books
  7. ASIN
    B01282379S
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 1 hour and 13 minutes
Author Lucius Seneca
Narrator Clint Arthur
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 21, 2015
Publisher Wharton Entrepreneur Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B01282379S
Best Sellers Rank #18,162 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#822 in Happiness Self-Help
#1,074 in Personal Success
#1,128 in Motivational Self-Help (Books)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
745 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and concise. They appreciate its thought-provoking content and powerful wisdom. Readers mention the book provides excellent insight on how to live in leisure everyday.

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ReadabilityThought provokingShortness of life
13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and concise. They say it's a good read that makes you appreciate life. The book is straightforward and in plain English with beautifully true words. It's an essential classic and a nice affordable copy.

"...Time flies. But then comes some of the most beautifully true words in the history of advice on the art of living: The great philosophers of the past..." Read more

"This is a relatively short and easy read, as far as philosophical texts go. The book is thin with content on pages 3 to 54 with a larger print...." Read more

"...Are we living our lives fully to our own advantage? This book is worth rereading." Read more

"...The version is straightforward its plain english." Read more

12 customers mention "Thought provoking"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and inspiring. They say it provides powerful wisdom and good points about life and time. The book is relevant and applicable to modern living. Readers describe it as a source for a sane and inspirational life. It's a good read for students of stoicism and a great resource for living and a fearless death.

"...This book can rightly be called a source for a sane and inspirational life." Read more

"...It is thought provoking but not a life changer. You won't lose anything by reading this, being that it's so short and cheap...." Read more

"Great book. Motivating and thought provoking...." Read more

"Brief but very insightful, lots of quotes to be taken. Every chapter is brief and concise!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Shortness of life"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's concise nature. They find the author's insights on living a leisureful life helpful. The book prompts reflection and appreciation for what they have.

"This is a relatively short and easy read, as far as philosophical texts go. The book is thin with content on pages 3 to 54 with a larger print...." Read more

"...The book is short and many of his observations ring true; for this, I recommend it...." Read more

"Brief but very insightful, lots of quotes to be taken. Every chapter is brief and concise!..." Read more

"He made some really good points in this book. About the shortness of Life. And how important it is to think for the long-term" Read more

Seneca apparently wants me to play Texas Hold'em
2 out of 5 stars
Seneca apparently wants me to play Texas Hold'em
My copy of "On the Shortness of Life" came in as a misprint with the first half of the book instead being a guide on how to play Texas Hold'em. And not only that, it didn't even start correctly with the first page of the book starting on Chapter 5. The second half of the book then was the Shortness of Life, but it too also started at the end of Chapter 5.I've already put in a notice and am having a replacement copy issued free of charge, so it's not THAT big of a deal. But fair warning, there may be other misprinted copies floating around.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • J
    5.0 out of 5 stars Should be on every busy person's bedside table
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Too little time? Life's too short? Across the millennia the richest man in Rome and one of the sanest philosophers you will meet across the ages offers advice to get more out of your limited time span.Seneca rightly observes that someone who wastes your time steals the most precious commodity you have - time lost can never be restored. He describes first century Rome as if it is today, you never have time for friends, or they for you. You don't get to see anybody without an appointment. Time flies. But then comes some of the most beautifully true words in the history of advice on the art of living: The great philosophers of the past always have time for you Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, they are all at your disposal in the middle of the night. They are never too busy for you. Engage with them through their words. And as you read well into the past, you transcend the limitations of your own life, suddenly your own life stretches across the centuries. You gain longevity by living into the past, even if your future is limited! I came across this book of Seneca some ten years ago and I could never understand why it was never prescribed to us in academic philosophy! And then the potency of the insights are matched by the brevity of the writing. This book can rightly be called a source for a sane and inspirational life.
    43 people found this helpful
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  • Q.RanDumb
    4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read, and short.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a relatively short and easy read, as far as philosophical texts go. The book is thin with content on pages 3 to 54 with a larger print. I was able to read it in two days. I could have done it in 1 though my four year old was not making that easy. This is more of a summary of "On the Happy Life", a brief description of Seneca's major ideas and points he was making. It is thought provoking but not a life changer. You won't lose anything by reading this, being that it's so short and cheap. If you're looking to add substance to your library though I can't say this would be the one to add.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • doubting Murray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Having morning coffee with Seneca
    Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2012
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    Hard to believe we are separated by 2000 years. More like he is having a morning coffee with you, discussing people and historical figures.Very perspicacious in his insights into people - more like a novelist-and a broad view.
    Have to remember he was a patrician, wealthy and in favour with the emperor Nero almost until the end of his
    life and had household slaves all of which may have given him a distorted view of the world.Talking to his household slaves would have been interesting too!
    Of course, his view that men show their character in the manner of meeting their death,is all very well but we're all full of bravado till we have our guts shot out!
    Being a coin collector, I particularly take to heart
    ' that man ... who arranges with anxious precision his Corinthian bronzes, the cost of which is inflated by the mania of a few collectors and spends most of the day on rusty bits of metal.'
    The Stoic philosopher can still teach us!
    I wonder how Seneca filled his days? Did he practice what he preached? Few preachers do!
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Steven Peck
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sage wisdom concerning vain ambition
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2023
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    Seneca puts ambition into its proper context, where what we strive to do in order to find satisfaction with our life it's not only elusive, it is impossible.
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  • fitzalling
    3.0 out of 5 stars Some accurate observations but I am not sure of his prescription
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Seneca believes that many throw away many, and maybe most, of their days, which leads them at death to feel that life has been short and passed them by. For instance, they lose their days by pursuing their political ambitions, which makes them subject to the whims of others whose favor must be curried to win political office. Others lose their days in the pursuit of wine and lust; pursuits Seneca finds particularly wasteful. Other "engrossments" that waste one's days arise from the pursuit of the favor of what I would term "high society." Seneca's lists the ways in which one may waste one's days. It is in this waste that men come to believe that their days are short. The book is short and many of his observations ring true; for this, I recommend it. But, his prescription of pursuing philosophy as a more meaningful way to spend one's days and thereby lengthen one's life is, to me, unpersuasive.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Sky Mills
    5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless wisdom
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2018
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    This very old work by Seneca has some profound messages for us today. Are we living our lives fully to our own advantage? This book is worth rereading.
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  • TV
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for living and a fearless death.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Books like this should be required reading at some stage in our education. True understanding and practice of philosophy seems to be neglected in today's world.
    The version is straightforward its plain english.
    One person found this helpful
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  • James Sandoval
    5.0 out of 5 stars On the shortness...
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Great book. Motivating and thought provoking. Reminding the modern world that no matter how advanced we are, humanity seems to always have the same problem. Taking our lives and time for granted. A must read for everyone old and young alike..
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ederson Ferreira novacki
    5.0 out of 5 stars A nic read
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It was a nice read into Seneca's work, definitely will be diving deeper into the works of Stoics such as him
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  • elizabeth greenhalgh
    5.0 out of 5 stars A most thought provoking read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed reading about this Roman chap, his wisdom is useful for the here and now. Do have ago it is not too hard to get into.
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  • nata
    5.0 out of 5 stars Library collectible
    Reviewed in India on May 18, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Buy a hardcover or paperback.
    Your future generations will thank you.
    Before long, you’ll be gone
    For life is short
    But this book’s wisdom will endure on
    Report
  • Samyak R.
    1.0 out of 5 stars Do not recommend
    Reviewed in Germany on February 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Pages are missing and lack of continuity between pages.
    Lacks thorough introduction.
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  • Kevin Griffin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on February 22, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Keep your ambition in check. There is enough time for the fundamentals
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