Skip to content

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long If You Know How to Use It
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long If You Know How to Use It Paperback - 2005 - 1st Edition

by Seneca; C. D. Costa (Translator)

Summary

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.

From the publisher

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, statesman, philosopher, advocate and man of letters, was born at Cordoba in Spain around 4 BC. He rose to prominence in Rome, pursuing a career in the courts and political life, for which he had been trained, while also acquiring celebrity as an author of tragedies and essays. Falling foul of successive emperors (Caligula in AD 39 and Claudius in AD 41), he spent eight years in exile, allegedly for an affair with Caligula’s sister. Recalled in AD 49, he was made praetor and was appointed tutor to the boy who was to become, in AD 54, the emperor Nero. On Nero’s succession, Seneca acted for some eight years as an unofficial chief minister. The early part of this reign was remembered as a period of sound government, for which the main credit seems due to Seneca. His control over Nero declined as enemies turned the emperor against him with representations that his popularity made him a danger, or with accusations of immorality or excessive wealth. Retiring from public life he devoted his last three years to philosophy and writing, particularly the Letters to Lucilius. In AD 65 following the discovery of a plot against the emperor, in which he was thought to be implicated, he and many others were compelled by Nero to commit suicide. His fame as an essayist and dramatist lasted until two or three centuries ago, when he passed into literary oblivion, from which the twentieth century has seen a considerable recovery.

Details

  • Title On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long If You Know How to Use It
  • Author Seneca; C. D. Costa (Translator)
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 112
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, E Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Date 2005-09-06
  • ISBN 9780143036326 / 0143036327
  • Weight 0.2 lbs (0.09 kg)
  • Dimensions 7 x 4.3 x 0.3 in (17.78 x 10.92 x 0.76 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: Ancient (To 499 A.D.)
    • Cultural Region: Italy
  • Library of Congress subjects Conduct of life
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2005047450
  • Dewey Decimal Code 188

Excerpt

On the Shortness of Life

Most human beings, Paulinus,* complain about the meanness of nature, because we are born for a brief span of life, and because this spell of time that has been given to us rushes by so swiftly and rapidly that with very few exceptions life ceases for the rest of us just when we are getting ready for it. Nor is it just the man in the street and the unthinking mass of people who groan over this - as they see it - universal evil: the same feeling lies behind complaints from even distinguished men. Hence the dictum of the greatest of doctors:† 'Life is short, art is long.' Hence too the grievance, most improper to a wise man, which Aristotle expressed when he was taking nature to task for indulging animals with such long existences that they can live through five or ten human lifetimes, while a far shorter limit is set for men who are born to a great and extensive destiny. It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested.

* A friend of Seneca’s.
† Hippocrates

Media reviews

Citations

  • Ingram Advance, 09/01/2005, Page 96
  • Library Journal, 10/01/2005, Page 122

About the author

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, statesman, philosopher, advocate and man of letters, was born at Cordoba in Spain around 4 BC. He rose to prominence in Rome, pursuing a career in the courts and political life, for which he had been trained, while also acquiring celebrity as an author of tragedies and essays. Falling foul of successive emperors (Caligula in AD 39 and Claudius in AD 41), he spent eight years in exile, allegedly for an affair with Caligula's sister. Recalled in AD 49, he was made praetor and was appointed tutor to the boy who was to become, in AD 54, the emperor Nero. On Nero's succession, Seneca acted for some eight years as an unofficial chief minister. The early part of this reign was remembered as a period of sound government, for which the main credit seems due to Seneca. His control over Nero declined as enemies turned the emperor against him with representations that his popularity made him a danger, or with accusations of immorality or excessive wealth. Retiring from public life he devoted his last three years to philosophy and writing, particularly the Letters to Lucilius. In AD 65 following the discovery of a plot against the emperor, in which he was thought to be implicated, he and many others were compelled by Nero to commit suicide. His fame as an essayist and dramatist lasted until two or three centuries ago, when he passed into literary oblivion, from which the twentieth century has seen a considerable recovery.
Back to Top↑

More Copies for Sale

Show all copies
On the Shortness of Life

On the Shortness of Life: Life is Long If You Know How To Use It (Penguin Books Great Ideas)

by Seneca

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Eric Strattman
Cambridge, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 5.47
SGD 6.17 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin. Softcover. Very Good. 2005. Just very minor wear on the cover. Edges are sharp and pages are crisp and clean. Binding just a touch loose at the front cover, but elsewhere tight.
Item Price
SGD 5.47
SGD 6.17 shipping to USA
On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Seneca

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Used - Good
Edition
1
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Blind Pig Books
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 6.77
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005-09-06. 1. paperback. Good. 0x6x9. Some wear. Very serviceable copy.
Item Price
SGD 6.77
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA
On the Shortness of Life (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Seneca

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
2
Seller
St. Vinnie's Charitable Books
Eugene , Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 8.89
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Good. paperback 100% of proceeds go to charity! Good condition with all pages in tact. Item shows signs of use and may have cosmetic defects.
Item Price
SGD 8.89
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA
On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Seneca

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Wonder Book
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 12.36
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Item Price
SGD 12.36
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA
On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Seneca

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Wonder Book
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 12.36
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner’s name, short gifter’s inscription or light stamp.
Item Price
SGD 12.36
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA
On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Seneca

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
21
Seller
Ambis Enterprises LLC
Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 13.20
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. New. BRAND NEW, GIFT QUALITY! NOT OVERSTOCKS OR MARKED UP REMAINDERS! DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHER!
Item Price
SGD 13.20
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA
On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Seneca; Costa, C. D. N. [Translator]

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
800
Seller
Mediaoutletdeal1
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 13.25
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005-09-06. Paperback. New.
Item Price
SGD 13.25
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA
On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Seneca

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Edition
1
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Ergodebooks
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 16.03
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005-09-06. 1. paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
SGD 16.03
FREE shipping to USA
On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas)

by Seneca; Costa, C. D. N. [Translator]

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Like New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
800
Seller
Mediaoutletdeal1
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 16.44
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005-09-06. Paperback. Like New.
Item Price
SGD 16.44
SGD 5.47 shipping to USA
On the Shortness of Life : Life Is Long If You Know How to Use It
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

On the Shortness of Life : Life Is Long If You Know How to Use It

by Seneca

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143036326 / 0143036327
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 17.62
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
SGD 17.62
FREE shipping to USA
Show all copies
Back to Top↑

Hang on… we’re fetching the requested page.