On the shortness of life / 2023

On closer examination, what looks from afar like a regular ruler, reveals an excerpt from Seneca’s “On the Shortness of life” — a philosophical essay that highlights the transient nature of time and the necessity of using it wisely, arguing that life seems short not because it is brief, but because we often mismanage our time and focus on trivial pursuits.

The ruler serves as a metaphor for measuring not just physical distances, but also the quality of our experiences and moments that shape our lives, prompting self-examination to recognize that by doing so, we can enrich our lives and find greater fulfilment, ultimately making the most of the time we have.