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

  • Essays, Volume 1
  • By: Seneca
  • Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
  • Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (227 ratings)

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

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

By: Seneca
Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
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Publisher's summary

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

What listeners say about On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Completely relevant, ageless wisdom

It is remarkable to see how well Seneca's observations and advice hold up, literally thousands of years later. Delivery is straight and unpretentious.

The content is easier to consume a little at a time, if desired.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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The Stoic Has Spoken!

Would you listen to On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays again? Why?

yes. It felt like listening to an elderly grandfather pass on his wisdom on life before he goes. It's filled with life-strengthening lessons and highly inspirational anecdotes. It's so different to hear about discipline in this light.

What was one of the most memorable moments of On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays?

The way Seneca talks to a young student and you feel like his lessons are out of pure caring and not for profit or networking when the same topics come from a different source in the 21st century.

What does James Cameron Stewart bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I found that having a strong male voice was perfect because it was like having Seneca speaking. It made the advice authoritative.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Enlightening, empowering

Crucial life lessons with profound consequences to the reader, when digested within it's intended original context, this book is a must read to help address life's biggest challenges

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As relevant today as when it was written

I have read a few books about Seneca's works. Hearing his essays directly, without commentary, or analysis was very enjoyable. I would recommend this audio book to anyone who is curious about stoicism. Seneca's essays will benefit the critical mind to put the challenges of life into a rational perspective.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

overhyped expectations?

I hear so much about Seneca that I was excited to listen to this, but this ended up being almost unlistenable. I'm sure there's great stuff in here, but between the unnecessary verbosity where 1 word would suffice for the 10 chosen, plus the narrator's voice, I couldn't even get through the entir audiobook (and I listen to a lot).

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Like drinking wisdom from a fire hose

I like the the privilege of hearing so many wise things, it’s one of my top recommendations to someone whom likes useful words from the wise.

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Disappointed

On the plus side, it was what I suppose was advertised: reading of essays from that time.

Negative: apparently in those times, women were considered lower than animals, and these comments came up many times. Curiously, slave boys who were sassy and aggressive were valued.

I think I got past those things coming from so called “wise men”, but there really was nothing, no bits of wisdom or philosophy in this book that made it worthwhile. I was introduced to stoicism by another audio book here and really want to study it. I guess I should stick to more modern writings on the subject.

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My favorite book by far

It is a timeless book, and Seneca a timeless man. This was read extremely well as usual.

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For The Sensitive and Those Who Want to Gain Wisdom

Not only is this book to gain wisdom and how to live a better life. This book is for anyone or Everyone who feels rejected, talked about, insulted, small, or otherwise injured. Next to the New Testament and Jesus’ words. This book is Gold’

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Timeless Insights

So much gold in these timeless insights! Still as relevant today as when they were first written!

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