Marcus Aurelius

Meric Casaubon

Meditations

Lukas

“Thou art a poor soul, saddled with a corpse,” said Epictetus.

Mihai Nueleanu

Yourself a slave, your speech cannot be free

The Spartans at their public shows set seats for strangers in the shade, but sat themselves where they found room.

Lloyd Humphreys

"How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it."

"Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?"

PG Gonni

Ho sviluppato la disponibilità a riavvicinarmi e riconciliarmi con chi si è irritato o ha mancato nei miei confronti, non appena decide di tornare sui suoi passi.

Quando parliamo o scriviamo una lettera a qualcuno, evitiamo di dire spesso e senza una ragione valida "non ho tempo', e non dovremmo costantemente delegare i nostri doveri nelle relazioni con chi ci circonda sostenendo che siamo oberati da impegni.

La vita è un'opportunità preziosa, ma tu sembri averla quasi sprecata, cercando invece la felicità nelle opinioni altrui.

…chi non presta attenzione ai movimenti della propria anima è destinato a essere infelice.

La morte, la vita, la fama, l'oscurità, il dolore, il piacere, la ricchezza e la povertà colpiscono allo stesso modo le persone buone e cattive, poiché non hanno intrinsecamente valore morale. Non sono né beni né mali.

Le spighe che si curvano verso il terreno, la fronte rugosa del leone, la bava che cola dalle fauci dei cinghiali e molte altre cose: se osserviamo singolarmente, possono sembrare poco attraenti, ma proprio perché sono il risultato di eventi naturali, contribuiscono a rendere il mondo più bello e affascinante.

Primo: le cose esterne non toccano la tua anima, i turbamenti derivano solo dalle opinioni che si formano al suo interno. Secondo: tutto ciò che vedi è destinato a cambiare e scomparire. Pensaci costantemente, rifletti su quante cose hai visto trasformarsi di persona. Il mondo è mutevole, la vita è basata sull'opinione.

Quanto è grande il numero di animali che vengono mangiati e, in un certo senso, seppelliti nei corpi di coloro che li consumano? Eppure, c'è spazio sufficiente per accoglierli grazie alla loro assimilazione nel sangue, alla loro trasformazione in elementi aerei o ignei.

Tuttavia, è fondamentale notare che anche l'attenzione dedicata a ogni singola azione ha un suo valore e una sua misura appropriata. Non dovresti sentirti depresso solo perché dedichi troppo tempo a cose di minore importanza.

… abituati a pensare che la natura ama soprattutto trasformare ciò che esiste per creare nuove cose che gli somiglino. Infatti, tutto ciò che esiste è in qualche modo il seme di ciò che diventerà.

Invece di pensare: "Sono sfortunato, mi è capitato questo", dovresti dire: "Sono fortunato, perché al perché nonostante mi sia capitato questo, sto resistendo senza provare dolore. Non permetto al presente di spezzarmi, e non temo il futuro."

Eppure, quando si appassionano, questi individui sono disposti a rinunciare a mangiare e dormire pur di vedere crescere l'opera a cui si dedicano: tu invece sembri attribuire meno valore e meno attenzione alle azioni volte al bene della comunità?

Cè anche chi, in un certo senso, non è nemmeno consapevole delle sue azioni, ma agisce come la vite che produce il grappolo e, una volta raggiunto il risultato, non cerca altro - come il cavallo dopo una corsa, il cane da caccia dopo aver lavorato per scovare la preda, o l'ape dopo aver fatto il miele. Un individuo che ha agito bene non sente la necessità di vantarsene, ma passa ad altre azioni, proprio come la vite continua a produrre frutti quando è stagione.

Meditations (Medieval Greek: Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν, romanized: Ta eis he'auton, lit. 'things to one's self') is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. It is possible that large portions of the work were written at Sirmium, where he spent much time planning military campaigns from 170 to 180. Some of it was written while he was positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia, because internal notes tell us that the first book was written when he was campaigning against the Quadi on the river Granova (modern-day Hron) and the second book was written at Carnuntum.

Greg Pyle

It's difficult to review a book that has been read by many thousands or millions of people over the past two thousand years or so, including world leaders, philosophers and other academics, athletes, and everyday people who just want to live their best lives possible. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome (161-180), was never intended to be read by anyone other than its author. It is a collection of Aurelius' thoughts as they occurred to him, presumably over the course of his life. This book has no plot, no story arc, and no relatable characters, per se. Instead, it's a record of his daily journal that has been translated, interpreted, and transcribed repeatedly down through the ages. The individual entries have been compiled into 12 books, which are loosely arranged in chronological order; although there is some debate about that. This book is remarkable for two important reasons. It provides a glimpse into the thoughts of a Roman emperor, and it defines his personal life philosophy. Aurelius was a student of Stoic philosophy, which he carried with him throughout his life. Meditations represents his version of Stoic philosophy as he applied it to his own life. It's this philosophy that informed his approach not just as a ruler, but also as a human being. The philosophical virtues that were important to Aurelius and other ancient Stoic philosophers transcend time and are just as applicable today as they were back then. This is not a book to be read once and returned to the shelf to collect dust. It's meant to be read slowly and repeatedly; it's meant to be studied. I found myself often reflecting on individual passages while I searched for ways these ideas were relevant to me and my own circumstances. I've only read this book once, but it's clear to me that new revelations are likely to be revealed with each subsequent reading. Very few books can maintain their relevance beyond a few decades, let alone centuries or millennia. But this one does. This is one book to which I will return often as I polish my own personal philosophy, as so many have done before me.

Wilhelm Capelle

Selbstbetrachtungen.

Mark Aurels Selbstbetrachtungen treiben seit knapp zwei Jahrtausenden Demut und Gelassenheit in die Gemüter der Menschen, ganz ohne ihre Wirkung zu verlieren. Es ist erstaunlich und lehrreich zu lesen, wie viele existentielle Fragen über den Umgang mit Natur und anderen Menschen allweil den Verstand zu beschäftigen scheinen.

Ich bin mir sicher, dass jeder aus dieser Selbstreflexion Lehren für sich selbst mitnehmen kann. Die zugrundeliegende stoische Lebensphilosophie mag bestimmt weitergehend eine positive Auswirkung haben, dennoch methodisch überholt sein. Das ständige asketische Mahnen, die uneindeutigen Sitten und Tugenden einzuhalten, und der angreifbaren Natur folgen zu sollen, greift für die heutige epistemologische Philosophie zu kurz.

Abschließend ist es schön, dieses historische Werk gelesen zu haben und viele Aphorismen notiert und mitnehmen zu können. Es bietet eine wunderschöne Perspektive auf das Leben, doch keine, die versucht wahrheitsgetreu zu sein, sondern eher verhaltenspsychologischen Charakter mit sich bringt und dadurch dennoch Wirkung zeigt.

Jorit Vásconez Gerlach

Mark Aurels Selbstbetrachtungen treiben seit knapp zwei Jahrtausenden Demut und Gelassenheit in die Gemüter der Menschen, ganz ohne ihre Wirkung zu verlieren. Es ist erstaunlich und lehrreich zu lesen, wie viele existentielle Fragen über den Umgang mit Natur und anderen Menschen allweil den Verstand zu beschäftigen scheinen.

Ich bin mir sicher, dass jeder aus dieser Selbstreflexion Lehren für sich selbst mitnehmen kann. Die zugrundeliegende stoische Lebensphilosophie mag bestimmt weitergehend eine positive Auswirkung haben, dennoch methodisch überholt sein. Das ständige asketische Mahnen, die uneindeutigen Sitten und Tugenden einzuhalten, und der angreifbaren Natur folgen zu sollen, greift für die heutige epistemologische Philosophie zu kurz.

Abschließend ist es schön, dieses historische Werk gelesen zu haben und viele Aphorismen notiert und mitnehmen zu können. Es bietet eine wunderschöne Perspektive auf das Leben, doch keine, die versucht wahrheitsgetreu zu sein, sondern eher verhaltenspsychologischen Charakter mit sich bringt und dadurch dennoch Wirkung zeigt.

Can't complain much cause it's undeniably personal. He calls himself out yet somehow it feels like he's calling you out too. A bit frightening in its honesty. 

This definitive annotated translation of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is an insightful look into the mind of Ancient Rome's sixteenth emperor. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180 CE) was the sixteenth emperor of Rome—and by far the most powerful man in the world. Yet he was also an intensely private person, with a rich interior life and one of the wisest minds of his generation. He collected his thoughts in notebooks, gems that have come to be called his Meditations. Never intended for publication, the work has proved an inexhaustible source of wisdom and one of the most important Stoic texts of all time. In often passionate language, the entries range from one-line aphorisms to essays, from profundity to bitterness. This annotated edition offers the definitive translation of this classic and much beloved text, with copious notes from world-renowned classics expert Robin Waterfield. It illuminates one of the greatest works of popular philosophy for new readers and enriches the understanding of even the most devoted Stoic.

The Annotated Edition

nattie

 is a one-of-a-kind look into the inner thoughts of one of the most powerful men of his time. Marcus Aurelius never intended anyone else to read this, and thus it reveals about him something no one else was supposed to know, and there is something beautiful in that. 

This is such a great work because of how practical Marcus' philosophy truly was. It shows us the importance of humility, empathy, and remaining steadfast in a chaotic world. 

It is certainly a stoic outlook on life, but one I believe everyone can resonate with in one way or another. Overall, an important read, even if lacking in a 'climax' or usual story beats. Before anything, it is the sparse notes of a troubled man trying to make sense of the world like we all still do all these years later.

Justin Goins

If nothing else, Meditations is a one-of-a-kind look into the inner thoughts of one of the most powerful men of his time. Marcus Aurelius never intended anyone else to read this, and thus it reveals about him something no one else was supposed to know, and there is something beautiful in that. 

This is such a great work because of how practical Marcus' philosophy truly was. It shows us the importance of humility, empathy, and remaining steadfast in a chaotic world. 

It is certainly a stoic outlook on life, but one I believe everyone can resonate with in one way or another. Overall, an important read, even if lacking in a 'climax' or usual story beats. Before anything, it is the sparse notes of a troubled man trying to make sense of the world like we all still do all these years later.

How to live a better life. One of the most important books on Western philosophy - a powerful and inspirational guide for the complicated world of today 'Refreshing and restorative' GUARDIAN 'An ancient work of spiritual reflection which remains a powerful reminder of how we could live a more dignified life by avoiding deceit, vanity and greed' OK MAGAZINE Few ancient works have been as influential as the MEDITATIONS of Marcus Aurelius. Filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behaviour, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. Marcus's insights and advice - on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others - have made the MEDITATIONS required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style. In Gregory Hays's translation Marcus's thoughts speak with a new immediacy. Never before have Marcus's insights been so directly and powerfully presented.

Fascinating that something written 2000 years ago could seem so applicable to this day. A valuable piece of literature when interested in stoicism. 

I found a lot of it served as reminders, not so much a lesson.

Liam Richardson

Fascinating that something written 2000 years ago could seem so applicable to this day. A valuable piece of literature when interested in stoicism. 

I found a lot of it served as reminders, not so much a lesson.

Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

If you open a random page of the book, you'll still find a profound statement written in there. The book really is filled with that much wisdom. I don't recommend binge-read this, because this should be a book where you ponder on every chapter one by one.

catto fishu

Filled with short passages of Stoic wisdom

It is amazing to have access to an emperor's private notes. I should have expected the repetition and discontinuity, but I was a bit bored at some points.

I now have a more well-rounded understanding and respect for Stoicism. Yet strangely, my biggest takeaway is an exposure to a self-critical form of journalling/note-taking.

Joe Zimet

Filled with short passages of Stoic wisdom

It is amazing to have access to an emperor's private notes. I should have expected the repetition and discontinuity, but I was a bit bored at some points.

I now have a more well-rounded understanding and respect for Stoicism. Yet strangely, my biggest takeaway is an exposure to a self-critical form of journalling/note-taking.

Packed with wisdom, although a bit overhyped in my view. Learning something specific will take you longer reading the whole thing front to back than getting a second POV on the stance of the author regarding a specific subject. 

Julian Paul

Insightful and calming. Helped me get into a more peaceful headspace and be able to look at the world in a more hopeful and detached way. The kind of book I’d like to reread as I get older.

Angeline Bien

Christian Bager Bach Houmann

It was quite the experience to dive into the thoughts of Marcus Aurelius, and comparing them to the modern ways of thinking and then seeing how true they still stand truly astound me.

Solid thinking and so impressive to see just how little has changed about the human condition since 2000 years ago.

The book itself though is a bit tough to read, with no real sense of progression

Solid thinking and so impressive to see just how little has changed about the human condition since 2000 years ago.

The book itself though is a bit tough to read, with no real sense of progression

Ghofran Mustafa 

I felt like this book chose me not the other way around..

Frank Huang

Reiza H

Kind of a hard book for me since I had some difficulties to understand some of the words.

But I’m so glad I finished it. I learn to understand Stoic’s perspectives of Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor, one of the most powerful people in those times, that even an emperor can think clearly of his mortal life, contemplate it, and even wrote a book as a note to himself (he never intended to publish it.)

For about 200s pages of this book, The Emperor comes back to life, teaching me about the nature of life, how it’s not important to think about one’s judgement other than your own, to do everything with a purpose in mind, to be more closer to God, and to be at peace with your own mind and soul.

This book is almost over 2000 years old and yet, the topics he addressed is still as important as it was back then. Topics about life, consciousness, purpose of life, and death, is an everlasting topics. It’s still as relevant, to look into a stoic’s mind, almost 2000 years ago.

A historical gem and great intro to stoicism. Lost a star for repetitiveness that couldn’t really be helped due to the medium, but it was rough to keep reading about this guy repetitively try to make himself feel better about mortality as well as having a slave owner keep talking about things have a natural order (including slavery)

something to come back and read every now and then

robert preswick

Tanner Christensen

I find myself returning to Meditations from time-to-time as the years pass, and it always gives me a feeling of rejuvenation, a reminder of enlightenment. Aurelius' words are as timeless as they are impactful. He reminds us, in so few words, how to live not only a good life, but a fulfilled life. One of purpose, passion, and virtue.

There are many translations which do a poor job of executing Aurelius' work, but the gist of the lessons are simple enough to make it through (if you can get over the terrible formatting, i.e. Kindle).

Reihan Maulana

"Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius is a journal where Aurelius may have documented his experiences, including difficult days, to help control his mind. He journals everything he can think of that he’s grateful for. His thoughts on the impermanence of life, the importance of self-discipline, and the pursuit of inner tranquility are insightful. 

For me, it's a little hard to read, but I managed to get through it. "Meditations" is one of my favorite philosphy books because when I read it, I always get the impression of a mind diligently trying to work things out, rather than that of a master philosopher who already has all the answers.

matej yangwao

Amor Fati. Memento Mori. 

“The only thing over which we have total control in life is our own behavior and how we react to other people's actions.”

Offers a modern translation of the Roman philosopher's journal.

The Meditations

Mitch Stewart

This is one of the best non-fiction books I've ever read. I read it in paperback and highlighted everything I thought was wise and useful for me in life, I ended up needing to buy a new pack of highlighters. A MUST READ.

A read a passage a day kind of book. I carry a copy on me.

Jacob Medure

I could relate to some meditations and even annotated a lot of quotes and even though I do love repetitions in literature this time it felt kinda tiring. I connected with the book but just not wholly, I love the stoic philosophy but unfortunately I’m just not that unbothered peaceful person. 

Yalin Tsikun

I found myself re-reading sections of this during a particularly hard week. it left such an indelible impression on me

Meditations

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