On the Shortness of Life   
Seneca

Summary

Timeless lessons from one of the most famous philosophers

Notes

It is not that we have a short time to live but that we waste a lot of it

Life is long if you know how to use it

The mind when distracted absorbs nothing deeply but rejects everything which is crammed into it

Everyone hustles his life along and is troubled by a longing for the future and weariness of the present

Putting things off is the biggest waste of life - it snatches away each day as it comes and denies us the present by promising the future. The whole future lies in uncertainty, live immediately!

Life is very short for those who forget the past, neglect the present and fear the future

No man has been shattered by the blows of fortune unless he was first deceived by her favours

The human race is always on the move

Though you may increase your income and extend your estate, you will never increase the capacity of your body

It is the mind that creates our wealth

If you apply yourself to study, you will avoid all boredom with your life

Observe virtue is never concealed but given visible evidence of herself. Anyone worthy of her will follow her tracks

Nothing delights the mind so much as fond and long friendship

Curtail your possessions so we’re less exposed to the blows of fortune

Think your way through difficulties

He will live badly who does not know how to die well

What can happen to one can happen to all

Let all your ability be directed to some object, let it have some end view

It is more civilized to make fun of life than to wallow in it

No great intellect has been without the touch of madness - Aristotle

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