On the Shortness of Life
by Seneca
Seneca's essay: life is long enough if you know how to use it; most people waste it on busyness, deferral and other people's demands. Usually bundled with two other essays. It is the best short thing ever written about time.
Read it if…
you feel busy and empty at the same time.
Skip it if…
you want a time-management system; this is the reason to want one.
Three things you will actually use
- It is not that we have a short time, but that we waste much of it.
- Busy is not the same as living.
- Postponement is the greatest waste of life.
Do this first
Read it in one sitting and write how many hours yesterday were actually yours.
Our verdict
The best short thing on time.
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