What arguments did Seneca make in On the Brevity of Life?

In his philosophical treatise De brevitate vitae (On the Brevity of Life), the Roman philosopher Seneca argues that human life is not inherently short. Instead, he contends that the human lifespan is sufficiently long to accomplish great things if it is managed and employed properly.

Seneca observes that most people fail to live well because they squander their time on trivial pursuits, distractions, or unproductive activities. By failing to value time as a finite and precious resource, individuals allow their lives to pass by without purpose. His central argument is that the brevity of life is a consequence of human negligence rather than a natural limitation, and that one can achieve a sense of fulfillment by living intentionally and focusing on wisdom rather than wasting time on the vanity of worldly affairs.1