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On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays
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On Anger, on Leisure, on Clemency
- Essays, Volume 2
- By: Seneca
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 62
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 53
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Story5 out of 5 stars 51
'On Anger' is one of Seneca's most important essays. At some length he investigates the nature of anger: how and why it emerges, the effect it has on the individual and those to whom it is directed, and how to manage it and prevent it even from arising. For, Seneca considers, anger simply serves no purpose - it does not bring courage in war, prevent others misbehaving or punish miscreants. In short it has a negative effect on all. In 'On Leisure' he takes a short look at what is really meant by the term.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Stewart's narrations are very good
- By Ron Peters on 01-05-18
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The Moral Epistles
- 124 Letters to Lucilius
- By: Seneca the Younger
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 23 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 171
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 150
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 146
Towards the end of his life, Seneca the Younger (c4 BCE-65 CE) began a correspondence with a friend in Sicily, later collected under the title The Moral Epistles. In these 124 letters, Seneca expresses, in a wise, steady and calm manner, the philosophy by which he lived - derived essentially from the Stoics. The letters deal with a variety of specific topics - often eminently practical - such as 'On Saving Time', 'On the Terrors of Death', 'On True and False Friendships', 'On Brawn and Brains' and 'On Old Age and Death'.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding!
- By zen cowboy on 01-31-16
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The Enchiridion & Discourses
- By: Epictetus
- Narrated by: Haward B. Morse
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 252
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 233
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 229
The Enchiridion is the famous manual of ethical advice given in the second century by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Born to a Greek slave, Epictetus grew up in the environment of the Roman Empire and, having been released from bonds of slavery, became a stoic in the tradition of its originators, Zeno (third Century BCE) and Seneca (first century CE).
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5 out of 5 stars
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Inspiration from thousands of years ago
- By Jose on 07-30-17
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A Handbook for New Stoics
- How to Thrive in a World out of Your Control; 52 Week-by-Week Lessons
- By: Massimo Pigliucci, Gregory Lopez
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 3
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Story5 out of 5 stars 3
An ancient belief system made new, Stoicism teaches us how to accept the things we cannot change and how to live a good life. It helps us improve our outlook, increase our well-being, and thrive in the face of adversity. But how does one live like a Stoic? In A Handbook for New Stoics, renowned philosopher Massimo Pigliucci and practitioner Gregory Lopez guide listeners through 52 weekly lessons, each based on a common obstacle. Stressing out about a meeting at work? Try listing the things you can control and those you can’t. Plus much more!
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The Practicing Stoic
- By: Ward Farnsworth
- Narrated by: John Lescault
- Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 161
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 144
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Story5 out of 5 stars 138
The great insights of the Stoics are spread over a wide range of ancient sources. This book brings them all together for the first time. It systematically presents what the various Stoic philosophers said on every important topic, accompanied by an eloquent commentary that is clear and concise. The result is a set of philosophy lessons for everyone - the most valuable wisdom of ages past made available for our times, and for all time.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A good place to start before diving in.
- By Deborah Jean Anderson on 03-14-19
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On the Ends of Good and Evil
- By: Marcus Tullius Cicero
- Narrated by: Derek Le Page
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 20
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 20
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 19
Towards the end of his life and his career as one of the leading politicians and orators in Rome, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BCE-43 BCE) was exiled to his country house. It was a time of political turmoil in the capital of the empire, caused by the power-grab of Julius Caesar. In the quiet of the countryside, Cicero began to write on philosophy. In On the Ends of Good and Evil, he set out to consider three major traditions of Greek philosophy - Epicureanism, Stoicism and a branch of Platonism.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Engaging
- By Jean on 12-27-17
-
On Anger, on Leisure, on Clemency
- Essays, Volume 2
- By: Seneca
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 62
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 53
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 51
'On Anger' is one of Seneca's most important essays. At some length he investigates the nature of anger: how and why it emerges, the effect it has on the individual and those to whom it is directed, and how to manage it and prevent it even from arising. For, Seneca considers, anger simply serves no purpose - it does not bring courage in war, prevent others misbehaving or punish miscreants. In short it has a negative effect on all. In 'On Leisure' he takes a short look at what is really meant by the term.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Stewart's narrations are very good
- By Ron Peters on 01-05-18
-
The Moral Epistles
- 124 Letters to Lucilius
- By: Seneca the Younger
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 23 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 171
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 150
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 146
Towards the end of his life, Seneca the Younger (c4 BCE-65 CE) began a correspondence with a friend in Sicily, later collected under the title The Moral Epistles. In these 124 letters, Seneca expresses, in a wise, steady and calm manner, the philosophy by which he lived - derived essentially from the Stoics. The letters deal with a variety of specific topics - often eminently practical - such as 'On Saving Time', 'On the Terrors of Death', 'On True and False Friendships', 'On Brawn and Brains' and 'On Old Age and Death'.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Outstanding!
- By zen cowboy on 01-31-16
-
The Enchiridion & Discourses
- By: Epictetus
- Narrated by: Haward B. Morse
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 252
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 233
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 229
The Enchiridion is the famous manual of ethical advice given in the second century by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Born to a Greek slave, Epictetus grew up in the environment of the Roman Empire and, having been released from bonds of slavery, became a stoic in the tradition of its originators, Zeno (third Century BCE) and Seneca (first century CE).
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Inspiration from thousands of years ago
- By Jose on 07-30-17
-
A Handbook for New Stoics
- How to Thrive in a World out of Your Control; 52 Week-by-Week Lessons
- By: Massimo Pigliucci, Gregory Lopez
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 3
An ancient belief system made new, Stoicism teaches us how to accept the things we cannot change and how to live a good life. It helps us improve our outlook, increase our well-being, and thrive in the face of adversity. But how does one live like a Stoic? In A Handbook for New Stoics, renowned philosopher Massimo Pigliucci and practitioner Gregory Lopez guide listeners through 52 weekly lessons, each based on a common obstacle. Stressing out about a meeting at work? Try listing the things you can control and those you can’t. Plus much more!
-
The Practicing Stoic
- By: Ward Farnsworth
- Narrated by: John Lescault
- Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 161
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 144
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 138
The great insights of the Stoics are spread over a wide range of ancient sources. This book brings them all together for the first time. It systematically presents what the various Stoic philosophers said on every important topic, accompanied by an eloquent commentary that is clear and concise. The result is a set of philosophy lessons for everyone - the most valuable wisdom of ages past made available for our times, and for all time.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A good place to start before diving in.
- By Deborah Jean Anderson on 03-14-19
-
On the Ends of Good and Evil
- By: Marcus Tullius Cicero
- Narrated by: Derek Le Page
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 20
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 20
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 19
Towards the end of his life and his career as one of the leading politicians and orators in Rome, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BCE-43 BCE) was exiled to his country house. It was a time of political turmoil in the capital of the empire, caused by the power-grab of Julius Caesar. In the quiet of the countryside, Cicero began to write on philosophy. In On the Ends of Good and Evil, he set out to consider three major traditions of Greek philosophy - Epicureanism, Stoicism and a branch of Platonism.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Engaging
- By Jean on 12-27-17
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Meditations
- By: Marcus Aurelius
- Narrated by: James Ellis
- Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 15
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Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 13
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Story4 out of 5 stars 12
Written in Greek, without any intention of publication, by the only Roman emperor who was also a philosopher, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) offer a remarkable series of challenging spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the emperor struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Ranging from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation, they cover such diverse topics as the nature of moral virtue, human rationality, divine providence, and Marcus' own emotions.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Terrible narration
- By Pras on 09-06-19
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A Guide to the Good Life
- The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
- By: William B. Irvine
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,942
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,540
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,500
One of the great fears many of us face is that despite all our effort and striving, we will discover at the end that we have wasted our life. In A Guide to the Good Life, William B. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of Stoic philosophy, one of the most popular and successful schools of thought in ancient Rome, and shows how its insight and advice are still remarkably applicable to modern lives. In A Guide to the Good Life, Irvine offers a refreshing presentation of Stoicism, showing how this ancient philosophy can still direct us toward a better life.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent contemporary view of stoicism
- By Gerard Sanroma Guell on 01-24-15
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The Complete Essays of Montaigne
- By: Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, Donald M. Frame (translator)
- Narrated by: Christopher Lane
- Length: 49 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 316
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 277
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 271
“A faithful translation is rare; a translation which preserves intact the original text is very rare; a perfect translation of Montaigne appears impossible. Yet Donald Frame has realized this feat. One does not seem to be reading a translation, so smooth and easy is the style; at each moment, one seems to be listening to Montaigne himself - the freshness of his ideas, the unexpected choice of words. Frame has kept everything.” (Andre Maurois, The New York Times Book Review)
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5 out of 5 stars
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Spend some enjoyable time with Michel de Montaigne
- By Rooby on 10-04-12
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The Manual
- A Philosopher's Guide to Life
- By: Epictetus, Ancient Renewal, Sam Torode
- Narrated by: Sam Torode
- Length: 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 447
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 376
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 374
Epictetus (c. AD 50-135) was a former Roman slave (he was also lame in one leg, and walked with a crutch) who went on to become a great teacher. His philosophy, Stoicism, was practical, not theoretical - aimed at relieving human suffering here and now. The Manual is a collection of Epictetus' essential teachings and pithy sayings, compiled by one of his students.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Best book to live by.
- By Amazon Customer on 09-05-18
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How to Be Free
- An Ancient Guide to the Stoic Life
- By: Epictetus, Anthony Long - introduction, Anthony Long - translator
- Narrated by: Shaun Grindell
- Length: 1 hr and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 41
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 37
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 37
Born a slave, the Roman Stoic philosopher Epictetus (c. 55-135 AD) taught that mental freedom is supreme, since it can liberate one anywhere, even in a prison. In How to Be Free, A. A. Long - one of the world's leading authorities on Stoicism and a pioneer in its remarkable contemporary revival - provides a superb new edition of Epictetus's celebrated guide to the Stoic philosophy of life (the Encheiridion) along with a selection of related reflections in his Discourses.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Genuine wisdom
- By Eric on 05-21-19
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How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
- The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius
- By: Donald Robertson
- Narrated by: Donald Robertson
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 500
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 446
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Story5 out of 5 stars 444
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was the final famous Stoic philosopher of the ancient world. The Meditations, his personal journal, survives as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, psychotherapist Donald Robertson weaves stories of Marcus’ life from the Roman histories together with explanations of Stoicism - its philosophy and its psychology - to enlighten today’s listeners. He discusses Stoic techniques for coping with problems such as irrational fears, bad habits, anger, pain, and illness.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Marvelous mix of a biography with stoicism and CBT
- By Eduard Ezeanu on 04-12-19
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The Consolation of Philosophy
- By: Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 94
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 91
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 90
The Consolation of Philosophy is one of the key works in the rich tradition of Western philosophy, partly because of the circumstances in which it was written. Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (c480-c524) was of aristocratic Roman birth and became consul and then master of offices at Ravenna, one of the highest posts under the Ostrogothic Roman ruler Theodoric. But Boethius was unjustly charged with treason in 524, and this led to house arrest, then torture and execution.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A Self-Help Bestseller since 524 AD
- By John on 01-25-17
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How to Die
- An Ancient Guide to the End of Life
- By: Seneca, James S. Romm - introduction and translation
- Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan
- Length: 2 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 34
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 32
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 32
"It takes an entire lifetime to learn how to die", wrote the Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca (c. 4 BC-65 AD). He counseled readers to "study death always", and took his own advice, returning to the subject again and again in all his writings, yet he never treated it in a complete work. How to Die gathers in one volume, for the first time, Seneca's remarkable meditations on death and dying. Edited and translated by James S. Romm, How to Die reveals a provocative thinker who speaks with a startling frankness about the need to accept death or even, under certain conditions, to seek it out.
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5 out of 5 stars
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The reading is somewhat flat.
- By kyle miller on 11-28-18
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The Wisdom of Life, Counsels and Maxims
- By: Arthur Schopenhauer
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 46
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 41
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 40
'The two foes of human happiness are pain and boredom.' Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) was one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century because his humanistic, atheistic, if pessimistic views chimed with a new secularism that was emerging from a Western society dominated by religion. Despite his rather forbidding image (and a few outdated views), he is one of the most approachable German philosophers, and this is certainly evident in these two key works, The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims.
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5 out of 5 stars
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depressingly hopeful
- By Sebastian huerta on 06-22-17
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On the Nature of Things
- By: Lucretius
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 252
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 199
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This famous work by Lucretius is a masterpiece of didactic poetry, and it still stands today as the finest exposition of Epicurean philosophy ever written. The poem was produced in the middle of first century B.C., a period that was to witness a flowering of Latin literature unequaled for beauty and intellectual power in subsequent ages. The Latin title, De Rerum Natura, translates literally to On the Nature of Things and is meant to impress the reader with the breadth and depth of Epicurean philosophy.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A Masterpiece
- By Lawrence on 11-23-08
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On the Shortness of Life
- By: Lucius Seneca
- Narrated by: Clint Arthur
- Length: 1 hr and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 428
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 368
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 368
The majority of mortals, Paulinus, complain bitterly of the spitefulness of Nature, because we are born for a brief span of life, because even this space that has been granted to us rushes by so speedily and so swiftly that all save a very few find life at an end just when they are getting ready to live. Nor is it merely the common herd and the unthinking crowd that bemoan what is, as men deem it, an universal ill; the same feeling has called forth complaint also from men who were famous.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Excellent short read on the shortness of life!
- By Amazon Customer on 11-19-15
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Letters from a Stoic
- By: Lucius Seneca
- Narrated by: Austin Vanfleet
- Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 90
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 80
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 79
Seneca's Letters from a Stoic is considered one of the thought-leaders of philosophy in the history of classical literature. The compilation offers a comprehensive introduction to the stoic philosophy. Stoicism is Hellenistic philosophy that dominated literature and conversation until around Three AD. Its roots are traced back to ancient Greece at its founding by Zeno of Citium.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting but dry
- By Michael L Rolinitis on 08-18-19
Publisher's Summary
As former tutor and adviser to Emperor Nero, philosopher and statesman Seneca was acutely aware of how short life can be - his own life was cut short when the emperor ordered him to commit suicide (for alleged involvement in a conspiracy). And Seneca proved true to his words - his lifelong avowal to Stoicism enabled him to conduct himself with dignity to the end.
During his rich and busy life, Seneca wrote a series of essays that have advised and enriched the lives of generations down to the present day. This collection contains five of the key essays - 'On the Shortness of Life', 'On the Happy Life', 'On the Tranquil Mind', 'On Providence' and 'On the Firmness of the Wise Person' - and they are replete with observations to remember.
'Those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear for the future have a life that is very brief and troubled,' Seneca warns.
'You have all the fears of mortals and all the desires of immortals.'
'As long as we wander at random, not following any guide except the shouts and discordant clamours of those who invite us to proceed in different directions, our short life will be wasted in useless roamings.'
Clarity, steadfastness and true enjoyment are his watchwords.
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- Andreea Marin
- 03-05-17
The Stoic Has Spoken!
Would you listen to On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays again? Why?
yes. It felt like listening to an elderly grandfather pass on his wisdom on life before he goes. It's filled with life-strengthening lessons and highly inspirational anecdotes. It's so different to hear about discipline in this light.
What was one of the most memorable moments of On the Shortness of Life, On the Happy Life, and Other Essays?
The way Seneca talks to a young student and you feel like his lessons are out of pure caring and not for profit or networking when the same topics come from a different source in the 21st century.
What does James Cameron Stewart bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I found that having a strong male voice was perfect because it was like having Seneca speaking. It made the advice authoritative.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joe
- 06-29-19
As relevant today as when it was written
I have read a few books about Seneca's works. Hearing his essays directly, without commentary, or analysis was very enjoyable. I would recommend this audio book to anyone who is curious about stoicism. Seneca's essays will benefit the critical mind to put the challenges of life into a rational perspective.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Michael Chelberg
- 12-19-18
Enlightening, empowering
Crucial life lessons with profound consequences to the reader, when digested within it's intended original context, this book is a must read to help address life's biggest challenges
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
- Tobias A. Matejovsky
- 12-13-18
Completely relevant, ageless wisdom
It is remarkable to see how well Seneca's observations and advice hold up, literally thousands of years later. Delivery is straight and unpretentious.
The content is easier to consume a little at a time, if desired.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ron Peters
- 05-23-17
Seneca and James Cameron Stewart both excellent!
A good selection of Seneca's Essays and Dialogs; it's especially nice to have On The Firmness of the Wise Man included, since it is not widely available in print.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- Alexander
- 04-12-17
overhyped expectations?
I hear so much about Seneca that I was excited to listen to this, but this ended up being almost unlistenable. I'm sure there's great stuff in here, but between the unnecessary verbosity where 1 word would suffice for the 10 chosen, plus the narrator's voice, I couldn't even get through the entir audiobook (and I listen to a lot).
1 of 7 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- HARRY
- 05-25-18
A good read.
Really enjoyed it, easy to listen to. Pleased , looking forward to the next one.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- 02-24-18
Great book. Similar to the Msg from Marcus Aureliu
Similar to the Msg from Marcus Aurelius Meditations. I will definitely read more of Seneca