Seneca: On the Shortness of Life - (My Narration & Summary)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 พ.ค. 2024
- This is my narration of Seneca's classic work On the Shortness of Life. I've added notes to summarise what is being expressed in each chapter.
On the Shortness of Life is a moral essay written by Seneca the Younger, a Roman Stoic philosopher, to his father-in-law Paulinus. The philosopher brings up many Stoic principles on the nature of time, namely that men waste much of it in meaningless pursuits. According to the essay, nature gives man enough time to do what is really important and the individual must allot it properly. In general, time can be best used in the study of philosophy, according to Seneca.
This was my first audio book recording. I did it to improve my voice and learn a bit about more about Audacity.
Support me here: linktr.ee/VoxStoica
Affiliate Links:
Amazon: geni.us/Amazon_ShortnessOfLife
All Seneca's Dialogues: geni.us/SenecaDialogues (affiliate)
My narrations on Audible: geni.us/VoxStoicaOnAudible
A summary of Stoicism: geni.us/PracticalStoicism
Listen for free in US via Hoopla: www.hoopladigital.com/artist/...
Text: archive.org/stream/SenecaOnTh...
Start - 0:00
Chapter 2 - 1:44
Chapter 3 - 5:04
Chapter 4 - 7:59
Chapter 5 - 10:41
Chapter 6 - 11:58
Chapter 7 - 13:56
Chapter 8 - 18:28
Chapter 9 - 20:44
Chapter 10 - 22:52
Chapter 11 - 25:58
Chapter 12 - 27:12
Chapter 13 - 32:01
Chapter 14 - 36:37
Chapter 15 - 39:19
Chapter 16 - 41:45
Chapter 17 - 43:41
Chapter 18 - 47:08
Chapter 19 - 50:13
Chapter 20 - 50:54
#Stoicism #Seneca #Shortnessoflife
Amazon Affiliate: geni.us/Amazon_ShortnessOfLife
Audible Summary of Stoicism: geni.us/PracticalStoicism
Become a Patron: www.subscribestar.com/intpworld or www.patreon.com/RobinHomer
Chapter 2 - 1:44
Chapter 3 - 5:04
Chapter 4 - 7:59
Chapter 5 - 10:41
Chapter 6 - 11:58
Chapter 7 - 13:56
Chapter 8 - 18:28
Chapter 9 - 20:44
Chapter 10 - 22:52
Chapter 11 - 25:58
Chapter 12 - 27:12
Chapter 13 - 32:01
Chapter 14 - 36:37
Chapter 15 - 39:19
Chapter 16 - 41:45
Chapter 17 - 43:41
Chapter 18 - 47:08
Chapter 19 - 50:13
Chapter 20 - 50:54
Watch Meditations by Marcus Aurelius: th-cam.com/video/d5E2AQKuCyU/w-d-xo.html
Watch Seneca's Letters to Lucilius: th-cam.com/video/9a5jDHyXXDw/w-d-xo.html
INTPWorld you
Hey I'm already signed up for the course how are you liking it?
Vox Stoica brilliant recording my friend!!!
The shortness of life is a blessing in disguise. Life is a struggle for anyone...
I enjoyed this one... thank you.
I'm 65 next month, and smiling, I was loved by wise and kind grandparents while my parents learned life, what a lucky man I am
signed, grandpa:)
I stumbled upon this truth some years back.
"Children are best brought up by present grandparents."
So True. I had a close relationship with my grandma. I tell young ones ...please be best friends with your grandparents
Thank goodness. I'm a fan of the idea that Americans etc. got it wrong about "son's" going out and "making it on their own". That is, I think we need our extended families closer, not farther, and helping each other in turn over time.
AgedLikeWine , are not grandparents the current zombie army, controlled my mainstream media. C’mon dude, getbwith the program not the pogrom;)
I understand what you are saying...I am also
"learning how to live takes a lifetime", Seneca, however "“We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius
My second life started when I was 39.
Shit, that is deep to the core. I'd also point out that some people are aware of their short time on this earth but choose to ignore the importance of it.
Stunning
@@crosstolerance the importance of their own lives and the importance of helping others in their lives.
Life is for fulfilment, the narcissist never gets it, they never will.
Some also try to relive life after life in the pursuit of living life, finding they have missed living... still hoping to find how to live.
I’m 20 years old and whenever I blink I can remember being 6 years old wishing I could just grow up and live my life. I still have the same wish, I guess I should stop wishing and start living.
My young friend, your being here shows you are serious and have already started. Just continue the incremental change and you will find your are living.
I'm 37. When I was 20 I was clueless with women. I came home from traveling abroad and fucked some dude up and chased after a guy with a weapon who threatened to shoot me. Then I was weak and got married out of comfort - destroying my balls. Wasted a few prime years crashed a couple cars jumped multiple careers went to jail. Masters degree I hate. Enjoy this time. Get laid...or be awkward and try to. Fuck finding your passion and just try jobs. You don't have a clue and neither does anyone else, really. Gurus are usually full of shit. Take this video for example- it acts as though philosophy is the only way. Is it really that great to spend all your time analyzing life rather than rolling the dice?
@@jdt8983 the nerve gear works like a microwave. If you die in the game, it will destroy your *balls* ending your life.
@@williammunday1367 I'm cool with dying but I don't want to die through any testicular means
@@jdt8983 Yes because that's definitely the point of Seneca's teachings; spend all your time in life on philosophy and analysis. Great advice, by the way, never heard such a fresh take before. You should consider writing self-help books, that'll show all these fake gurus!
"You're like mortals in fearing everything, yet like immortals in coveting everything" ... deep!
Indeed
And the deeper question is, why if we are but mortal covet we the eternal.
FIRE that's easy
Stuart Redman it means desire, and when you are free of desire you will be immortal
+james knight that last bit is your own agenda, and equally it's folly.
"All those who engage you in their business disengage you from yourself" - something to consider on TH-cam.
Seneca however, is a good choice.
Agreed.
Ramp up that stoicism, and hopefully we all appreciate irony.
These are transcribed from his deathbed ?
Nice.
😂😂😂
It's astounding how so much of what he says has such resounding impact today.2,000 years, and so little about humanity has really changed.
I think the world has changed, sadly, with the web and cell phone.
If you only knew the state of things 4y later. Your comment may have been a bit jaded.
@@anti-popfpv4638 This too shall pass.
The rule of law operates on integrity. Within any environment where rule of law exists, individuals who have no integrity will destroy themselves.
@@anti-popfpv4638 Worst things have happened...
This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my TH-cam channel 2 months ago about self development. Now I have 162 subs and almost 75 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I couldn’t have learned without getting started in the 1st place.
I will hit 60 next year and I suddenly wonder how did i reach this age? Where did all that time go? Seneca seems to be speaking to me
20 something and I'm already there
43 there.
I'm feeling the same way at 57yrs.
18 here...i have no idea wtf I'm doing
@@sss-zx9jl don't take anything for granted. Listen to older people who tell you things you ought to plan for or expect when you get older. I remember people giving me advice I thought I didn't need. Wish I had listened to that advice. Marry someone who laughs at what you laugh at. Stoicism will help you. Be Blessed!!
Seneca's message is needed by everyone sooner, rather than later. Each of us would focus to find our purpose sooner and live our passion each moment.
?
Stoic thought was antithetical to passion (pathos).
The message wasn't "live our passion each moment"... It's just recognizing that individual life is finite, so be mindful of it instead of unconsciously casting it all the time.
Stoics would have huge issue with your idea of a life well lived. Most were against - and specifically trained to reduce and resist - passion.
@@Roamstrong They have no problem with purpose. Which is what Deborah means...
@@Roamstrong depends on the use of the word passion. Don’t be a slave to your passions, but be passionate about your purpose and duty.
Amen
"You map out what is in fortune's hand but let slip what's in your own hand."
Boom! the slap!
There is an old joke, about two young fish swimming side by side in a clear stream. An old fish swims past and says to them, "the water is cold today, isn't it?" The young fish keep swimming along in silence until one turns to the other and says "what's water?" This is like time. Someone once compared the passage of time to a mountain stream flowing past a seemingly stationary trout. Now, count from one to eight. One... Two... Three...
Four... Five... Six... Seven... Eight... A moment just went by. The average attention span has been measured to be approximately 8 seconds. This means that you don't live for 80 years, you live for 8 seconds. Specifically, you live right in the middle between seconds 4 and 5. You are like that trout in the stream, watching the moment go by. This is very helpful, because if you try to figure out what the meaning of life is, that is a very big question. But, all you really need to find out is, what is the meaning of this 8 seconds. This is a much smaller, more manageable question.
"oh, the little more and how much it is and the little less and what worlds away"
Thank you, nick.
This was golden, thank you.
Very good. Life is to live in the now. 5....6.....7.... .....2....3.... Why wait till the end. 5...
Nicolas Allen / thanks for that comment, it’s absolutely mind blowing
"For what is your life? It is a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." - James 4:14
I thought the speed of your reading was perfect for my ears and brain; and your voice very listenable. Thanks.
ASMR mixed with the perfect subject matter.
m. chia yes👍🏽
Agreed. Likable voice and read at a speed that's similar to my consciousness. Honestly I couldn't stand Sargon's attempt at audiobooks. His voice is like walking through tar, this guy is like skating on a polished surface.
Credit where credit is due. Nice to see others appreciate the reader 👌🏻
You can always change the speed if you like.
This is what TH-cam is all about
This is one of the greatest pieces of marketing, in getting people to interest themselves in Philosophy.
"They lose the day in looking forward to the night, the night in fear of the dawn."
"The lives of those who acquire through hard work, what they must work harder to possess is necessarily very wretched."
Favorite line in the whole book
I don’t get it
@@glimonwinnackerYou slave to save up the money to buy a huge house then slave to pay for repairs, maintenance, property taxes…
@@cheapcraftygirlsweepstakes2338 oh. Thanks
I looooooooove your voice..... Great read. It's hard to find a good well balanced reader with the right tone. I'm absolutely elated to hear your reading. Please keep up the good work. By far you are my favorite.
I like how this Seneca fellow thinks. I daily participate in the noble and aristocratic art of doing absolutely nothing, and hope to one day be in a position of doing even less.
Your narration is fantastic. And adding the quotes from the chapter there for us to see is awesome. Much appreciated fellow intp.
I am one too, Austin Derden. (Borderline I.) Greetings.
seneca was an intj
Totally agree
Senecas message is both fantastic and terrifying, simple and confusing. This work makes me question what I should live for. Profound.
Vox Stoica, thank you for this video. You're a great person and I think Seneca would congratulate you if he was here today.
Since discovering this video I'm more organised and I don't spend so much time on social media.
Seneca is my guide 👌
I usually have to speed up audiobooks - you know, life being short and all - but this was pretty much the perfect pace.
The speed, the comforting calm voice is perfect. Seneca's words couldn't have been read better. Thank you kindly, sir.
Thanks for all of your readings! You have a wonderful voice, accent, and manner for covering this material. Think Seneca would approve and appreciate your efforts of spreading his insights to the masses.
I remember going to see a production of the 1642 Venetian opera masterpiece"The Coronation of Poppaea" by Monteverdi in which the philosopher Seneca, as one of Nero's tutors is a character.There is a wonderful scene in which Seneca, surrounded by about 30 of his students, is urged not to kill himself as ordered by Nero. I believe the opera is being staged in Sydney next year in connection with the 450th anniversary of the great Venetian composer Claudio Monteverdi.
Henceforth, I refuse to watch another episode of Celebrity Big Brother, Eastenders, in fact the Telly is going out the window, the mobile phone down the toilet, set up my own business and listen to video clips of the Masters here on TH-cam. Good broadcast.
Thank you much for this. It is exciting to know we have been given the chance to enjoy such great work of Philosophy.
Those thoughts are immortal. They transcend space and time.
Thanks for this video
This has to be one of the richest writing essays. Reminds me of when I discovered John Locke's essay. Very fulfilling. For me, I'd rather read than listen. Not to minimize the great job the reader has done, of course.
Your voice is PERFECT for Audio books, I could listen to you for many hours.👍
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant. Fantastic wisdom from Ancient Rome. Excellent points. Loved the points regarding useless knowledge, of the cognitive dissonance between wasting time and then complaining that life is short, of existing and living. Seneca is too good.
2000 years have passed and our world has been completely transformed by advancements and technology, yet from the words of Seneca ancient Rome sounds so close and familiar…human struggles never change
Brilliant Seneca, the voice of reason and lasting light in the darkness of ignorant mens' heart and soul. Bravo!
What is difficult to accept is learning all of this at such an old age.
Thank you for showing me, even a brief glimpse, of how to LIVE.
Felt that one
Words that changed my Life.
Thank you for this upload.
The most insightful gaze into human nature I've ever had the Privilege to come across . Thank you.
You have done well.
I listen to this daily.
To think he lived so long ago. - but his words resonate through time. The ending chapter- epic!
This is, by far, your best narration. Thanks for your efforts.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It’s an excellent and challenging essay, and the way you read it made it really easy to follow and understand. I hope you do other similar projects.
Thank you for sharing this with us! You're voice does great justice to this masterpiece
I really like how you show large sections of text and then read it with passion.
your narration is super! Thank you so much, I was able to relax my mind wiht your tone and speaking ability and clarity, your pauses everything you did was spot on.
I love this reading, it helped me to live there where I feared to live, and that is today,
Obviously, dear narrator, you are using your time well! Thank you for this lovely reading in voice and tone.
´´Leisure is what is prayed for by the man who grants the prayers of other men.´´ Good shit. Something magical happens when you realize that there are likely fewer years ahead then there are behind. Sometimes I think the true purpose of life is just to fuck around.
I have run my businesses, paid my taxes, raised my children. Now I am just going to fuck around and enjoy the experience - as God intended.
"Life. It's just a ride." - Bill Hicks.
You could just go live under a barrel - Diogenes style
Thank you for this recording
Maybe some more stoic literature
Seeking the truth as it relates to conscious life? Search *_Truth Contest_* and read the top entry called "The Present". The truth will set you free.
Nec Plus Ultra - Merci infiniment Bangkok-Johnnie CarSanook Bangkok
Thank you for this. I was only familiar with senecas letters to lucilius. Looking forward to reading Seneca again.
by far my favorite work of stoic philosophy
Guide to living life by Seneca. Very clearly read for audio. Thank you!!
loved this, thanks for taking the time to do it. listened to it at a perfect time of my life. Cheers
Brilliant!Extraordinary!Such wisdom ought to shared and made available to all, most usefully at teenage to prepare one for life and death.
Well done. Thank you. You have a soothing voice. Perfect for narration.
“What can there be of a man, who rises above fortunes”
I gave up television and started listening to lectures and had been delaying this one. When listening I feel like I'm a child being spoken to by a wise grandfather when grasping the gravity of his words.
Great job reading and with the video display info. Great voice! Very professional. Thank you very much!
Life lessons a thousand plus years ago
I wonder if he would have even considerd the possibility of the fact that people across the world would be listening to his work after over 2000 years and more
@@alhassani626 more like man would not let it fade away... Because m sure God didn't do shit to stop the Alexandrian library from burning... M sorry only man should be given credit here
@@leaveme3559 LoL But Likewise, men burnt the Library of Alexandria. Not God.
@@leaveme3559 It is a miracle that with so much Book Burning, this didn't fade away.
@@alhassani626 so god gets the credit when men store the work but god doesn't get any criticism when he lets things burn down
Oh brother this work was probably stored in Athens or Rome...and it was an active phylosophy which means people were following its principles and had copies of it in there homes... Duh...m. But u know what the burning of Alexandria has done to humanity....?..... It set us a 1000 years back yeah sure God is so great....
Excellent, thank you for posting.
Thank you for doing this. Really good measured narration.^^
What an amazing recording, thank you for this!
He'd probably frown upon marathoning game of thrones
somehowI think he would understand indulging every now and again
The Allchive. it is worthwhile but, should not become a preoccupation(I plead guilty) and eat away at my time.
I'd say it depends on how many times you've seen it
Pathetic time waster
So will you once you see season 8.
Beautiful voice. Thank you for this and your others.
Thank you for your work. Very thought provoking.
Hail Seneca
Hey man, thank you so much for this recording. ♥️
Seneca is so cool man! Fascinating. Thanks for reading, it was entertaining and welll done.
24:00 This is what sets Seneca apart from the old school BORING dialectic-obsessed Greek Stoics like Xeno, that Nietzsche hated so much. Seneca has a kind of Emersonian faith in the original and free individual.. He doesnt try to give you a book of definite Laws as if morality or the Soul is something so small that we can understand it by logic or evidence or argument.. He leaves that space open and merely instructs you above all to TRUST YOURSELF. Everything else in life is a stepping stone toward self trust and clarity in yourself. I think he was the biggest contributor to Stoicism. I like him a lot more that Epictetus when it comes to this kind of thing. Epictetus seemed so rigid in his doctrine that he came to see the doctrine itself as all of life and thereby blinded himself by his own piety. And came to confuse his list of Rules with divinity, and henceforth had no need to consult the divinity in himself any longer.
Nice reading. This wisdom can never be distilled into a 5 minute overview.
Great job with this audiobook. I really enjoyed it.
Chapter 2 - 1:44 Chapter 3 - 5:04 Chapter 4 - 7:59 Chapter 5 - 10:41 Chapter 6 - 11:58 Chapter 7 - 13:56 Chapter 8 - 18:28 Chapter 9 - 20:44 Chapter 10 - 22:52 Chapter 11 - 25:58 Chapter 12 - 27:12 Chapter 13 - 32:01 Chapter 14 - 36:37 Chapter 15 - 39:19 Chapter 16 - 41:45 Chapter 17 - 43:41 Chapter 18 - 47:08 Chapter 19 - 50:13 Chapter 20 - 50:54
This is one of the top 10 self help books of all time....dont doubt it, just read (or in this case, listen) and learn.
thank you very much for this recording.great job!
This is required reading for homeschool and for me. Great daily reminders
Thanks for sharing this narration and summary of Seneca's "On the Shortness of Life." It's a profound reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of using it wisely. Seneca's insights resonate deeply, urging us to reflect on how we invest our precious time and to pursue meaningful pursuits.
I really like how positive the comments are for this audio, don't you agree that learning is such a mood regulator and motivator :D
The whole 2nd chapter was like a kick in the chest.
Nice narration - incredible book :)
I enjoyed this very much. Studying the meditations of Marcus Aurelius at the moment. I think that would be a fine addition to your channel. Thank you for this, there should be more like this. What I really enjoyed your voice and delivery as I was able take in the content easier without distractions of mispronouncing words, tone of voice etc.
Great reading! Good pace and tonality variations, helped me to stay focused
I love your voice and your accent. It suits very much for a wise stoic.
Another later 'Thank you for this recording'. I listen to it often.
I used to not think much of Seneca for his supposed hypocrisy as aid to Nero...
Now I really appreciate his sort of bitter humor and unrivaled frankness enough to overlook whatever were his historical flaws.
thanks Seneca!
This is brilliant, game changer! Many thanks 🙏
Thank you for your work.
My life is slipping away on TH-cam . I spend too much time on here .
Seneca says learning from the experiences of past thinkers is the only worthwhile pursuit
Yet it is so important to learn from videos like these
Yes Mohammed ! And since you
wrote that another 2 years have
passed !. Good wishes to people
of Egypt by the way.
@@2msvalkyrie529 Thank you for your response... We never lose the desire to learn and understand . It is the only worthwhile pursuit and the most rewarding .
Did Seneca say this?
great job ... would love to watch and listen to more of your philosophy videos such as this..
Thanks, I have a new batch of Senecas Letters which I'll be publishing soon.
This was incredibly helpful to me. So many gems in here. I will hope I can listen to this again and again. Thanks. Your audiobook reading is excellent by the way. I think you could do this professionally. Actually before I read the description I was sure it was done by a professional audiobook reader. Excellent job and good luck
Great job. Really enjoyed this.
Thank you for uploading.
I just penned a poem listening to this in response to a 60 years old gentleman I interacted with in the comments section. This must strike a chord:
Regrets are a painful treasure.
How well I lived life, can't I measure?
When the death bell tolls or as I suppose.
Grieving at my grave, I had placed a red rose.
That had cut deep the blossom in my bosom.
Blood dripped and dried but the stain stayed.
Something of a pitch black, something dark red.
The thoughts are morbid and so am I.
I wish I could but I cannot deny.
I once bloomed but now I am morose.
Grieving at my grave, I placed a dead rose.
As I am dying, one last wish to bloom.
Weaving memories from my minds loom.
How well I lived life, I won't measure.
Now is all I have and that's all I treasure!
So true and such a lovely book. ❤️
Really great production. Thank you. At this time in Covid, this has become my goto video to keep me focused on my studies and making meaningful choices.
its amazing how little has changed
I thoroughly enjoyed your narration!
very well done thanks for sharing
Amazing work! Thank you so much.
Incredible. Thank you.
Well done! Enjoyed your reading.
This is a great read. Wisdom condensed in a small handbook.
Excellent reading.