On the Shortness of Life — Seneca

Paperback | Penguin Publishing Group | September 6, 2005

The Gist

Like the title says: Life is actually pretty long if you know how to use it.

Read if you like

• Letters from a Stoic by Seneca

• Essays

• Philosophy

• Stoicism

• Epicureanism

• If you’re trying to get better at keeping things in perspective

The Verdict: Read It, But Borrow it

In this short collection, readers get a taste of Seneca the Younger’s writings. In each essay, we see an imperfect man who's wrestling with how to live a full and satisfying life in the face of a multitude of challenges. Though Seneca has dedicated years to learning about stoic philosophy (and many others), it’s clear that he more often than not falls short of living up to the school’s teachings. While readers may pass judgment and feel like they should dismiss Seneca for his inability to live as an example stoic, it’s his imperfections and hypocrisies that make his works all the more important to read. Seneca’s ongoing journey to become a better stoic, human being, citizen, writer, son, husband, etc. is a process we can all relate to. Through these letters, Seneca offers advice not as a master, but as someone who’s been on a journey and sharing what he’s learned, the conclusions he’s drawn, his successes, and his failings, so that others may learn from him and ultimately be better than him. Though this collection is too short to justify its cost ($5/letter), it does offer readers a taste of Seneca’s work and is worth the read. “Consolation to Helvia” is a letter Seneca writes to his mother after he has been exiled from Rome. He writes to her to help her deal with the grief she is feeling and also reflects on how he is trying to make the most of his situation and find happiness. Meanwhile, “On the Shortness of Life” is probably the most well-known of the three letters for emphasizing the importance of not wasting precious time. But modern readers may find the most value in “Tranquility of Mind,” because it offers actionable ways to activate the mind rather than numb it.