• Title: On the Shortness of Life
• Author: Seneca
• Genre/Subject: Roman literature
• Publisher: Vigeo Press
• Publication Date: 1932, 49 AD
• Start date: 6/30/24
• Finish date: 7/19/24

Review:

Seneca was a Roman writer and statesman who lived early in the first century AD. This particular essay was written around 49 AD as a letter to his friend Paulinus. Paulinus was praefectus annonae, the official who superintended the grain supply of Rome, and was therefore a man of importance. And apparently, Paulinus worked too hard and his friend Seneca wrote this to remind him about the shortness of life.

The book is a slim volume at only 41 pages long, and it is divided into 20 small chapters with the idea being that you read it like a daily meditation. So for 20 days I did just that and it was time well spent. Every morning first thing I did was read this with my first coffee and meditate upon it.

“No one is to be found who is willing to distribute his money, yet among how many does each one of us distribute his life!” Spot on Mr. Seneca. The book rationally and sometimes humorously goes over the shortness of life, and how so many people spend their time like it was an unlimited supply when in fact we all know how our individual stories end.

This book particularly resonated with me as I have been heard to ask men before, “Do you know something I don’t about living forever? Because if you do let me know.” Very few people when asked on their deathbeds if they have any regrets say, “I really wish I had spent more time at the office.” I typed that last sentence without looking at my keys, taking a bow right now. Suck it Mavis Beacon. But I digress. Seneca could have written like Horace in his odes, the one phrase that everyone knows: Carpe diem but that really doesn’t cover it.

Now in case you’re thinking like I did for 25 plus years as an alcohol addict, woohoo eat drink and be merry, wine-women-song etc. Seneca observes rightly that “among the worst I count those who have time for nothing but wine and lust.” The point is rather that you should spend the little time we are given in a thoughtful, enriching and satisfying life. And he goes on to explain how to do just that.

It’s not really complicated, it’s actually just a matter of self awareness. We all have duties and obligations, responsibilities and people that are counting on us, that rely on us and our abilities. This is life and we as good men and good citizens fulfill our obligations. But if that’s all you do, then you’re wasting your time and your life and you will never, ever, get it back.

I recommend this book to everyone, read it just like I did and then act upon it. Time is our only truly priceless commodity, so spend it wisely.