Name: On the Shortness of Life
Rating: 4.042682926829269 (82 reviews)
ISBN: 9781387213153

Seneca

John W. Basore

On the Shortness of Life

Seneca the Younger

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves--and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives--and destroyed them. Now, Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are. Penguin's Great Ideas series features twelve groundbreaking works by some of history's most prodigious thinkers, and each volume is beautifully packaged with a unique type-drive design that highlights the bookmaker's art. Offering great literature in great packages at great prices, this series is ideal for those readers who want to explore and savor the Great Ideas that have shaped the world. The Stoic writings of the philosopher Seneca offer powerful insights into the art of living, the importance of reason and morality, and continue to provide profound guidance to many through their eloquence, lucidity and timeless wisdom.

Ironically, i think this book could have benefited from a little more brevity. I was moved at the beginning, distant towards the middle, and then recoiled in towards the end.

Kelly Kim

Aamna

"life isn't short, we make it so." 

Should be made mandatory reading for everyone who calls for a meeting

Heiki Riesenkampf

Just a short reminder why we should treat the most valuable resource in our lives with more respect.

Morgan Holland

Stellar intro to stoic philosophy, very quick read, easy to revisit

Amy Thibodeau

Seneca seemed like a bit of an asshole to me.

Andy Sporring

Yet another Classic and it was a good one

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Charles Desmond Nuttall Costa

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves � and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives � and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are. The Stoic writings of the philosopher Seneca offer powerful insights into the art of living, the importance of reason and morality, and continue to provide profound guidance to many through their eloquence, lucidity and timeless wisdom.

brendan sudol

“There will always be causes for anxiety, whether due to prosperity or to wretchedness.”

“It is the mind that creates our wealth, and this goes with us into exile, and in the harshest desert places it finds sufficient to nourish the body and revels in the enjoyment of its own goods.”

“But nothing delights the mind so much as fond and loyal friendship. What a blessing it is to have hearts that are ready and willing to receive all your secrets in safety, with whom you are less afraid to share knowledge of something than keep it to yourself, whose conversation soothes your distress, whose advice helps you make up your mind, whose cheerfulness dissolves your sorrow, whose very appearance cheers you up!”

“We must go for walks out of doors, so that the mind can be strengthened and invigorated by a clear sky and plenty of fresh air. At times it will acquire fresh energy from a journey by carriage and a change of scene, or from socializing and drinking freely.”

This is perfect reading for a new year, I just got a late start this year; explains the rough month I've had.

Josh Clement

Took me a while to get into it. Now covered in notes. Extremely relevant to modern life: find your "tranquility"

Diana Platgalve

Timeless wisdom! Life is not short, it’s just...you waste most of it. By making an effort to learn how to live, you’ll have a long life. You are going to die, but make of your time the best you can. Aim for stability, focus on freedom and philosophy ❤️

A two-thousand year old classic that continues to find new fans in the digital age, On the Shortness of Life is a Stoic Philosophy masterpiece and, perhaps, the first and greatest of self-help books. Packed with pithy timeless wisdom, SenecaÕs famous collection of letters to his father-in-law Paulinus is a short but powerful work, one of Western literatureÕs finest and most enduring answers to the eternal question, How should I best live my life?

On the Shortness of Life

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