English reading 003

On the Shortness of Life: Adapted for the Contemporary
Reader <Lucius Seneca, James Harris> English reading 003

Some good points from philosopher Seneca. listed below

1. There is no reason then, to complain about anyone’s behavior if you cannot endure your own
2. In guarding their fortune people are often tightfisted, yet, when it comes to the matter of wasting time, which is the one thing they should have the right to be miserly over, they show themselves most uncontrolled.
3. But he who bestows all of his time on his own needs, who plans out every day as if it were his last, neither longs for nor fears tomorrow
4. And so there is no reason for you to think that any man has lived long because he has grey hairs or wrinkles; he has not lived long — he has existed long
5. The greatest hindrance to living is expectancy, which depends upon tomorrow and wastes the present. You hope for that which lies in the hands of Fortune, yet you let go of that which lies in your own
6. And so when you see a man often wearing the robe of office, when you see one whose name is famous in the forum, do not envy him; those things are bought at the price of life