Seneca: On the Shortness of Life

Why do so many people feel life is too short? In his timeless essay On the Shortness of Life (De Brevitate Vitae), Seneca argues that life is not truly short—but that much of it is wasted on distractions, busyness, and pursuits that don’t bring fulfillment.

Together, we’ll explore Seneca’s central claim: that a life devoted to philosophy and the proper use of reason is long enough for greatness. We’ll discuss themes such as:
• The difference between living and merely existing
• How we lose time chasing wealth, status, or pleasure
• Why the present is the only moment we truly possess
• How philosophy can enrich and “lengthen” our lives

This will be an open discussion, suitable for both newcomers to Stoicism and experienced readers.