Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Oxford World's Classics)

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Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Oxford World's Classics)

by Marcus Aurelius

4.10 · rating details · 4,779 ratings · 417 reviews

A. S. L. Farquharson's translation was originally published in 1944, as part of a major commentary on Marcus Aurelius' work. In this volume, Farquharson's work is brought up to date and supplied with an introduction and notes for the student and general reader. A selection of lively letters from Marcus to his tutor Fronto, most of which date from his earlier years, is also...more

Paperback, 224 pages

Published July 15th 2008 by Oxford University Press (first published 180)

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Apr 22, 2009

Gary rated it

· review of another edition

I view this work as a valuable resource, after all, it's not often one knows the private thoughts of an individual, let alone one of the more successful Roman Emperors. Only occasionally does it feel like the work of a Roman Emperor. Never do we get the feeling that it's written mid battle and amid the varied intrigue attending empire maintenance. Most often it's a welcome blend of philosophical pondering and practical advice.

My favorite Books were One, Eight, and Eleven.

...moreI view this work as a valuable resource, after all, it's not often one knows the private thoughts of an individual, let alone one of the more successful Roman Emperors. Only occasionally does it feel like the work of a Roman Emperor. Never do we get the feeling that it's written mid battle and amid the varied intrigue attending empire maintenance. Most often it's a welcome blend of philosophical pondering and practical advice.

My favorite Books were One, Eight, and Eleven.

It's appropriate, and perhaps customary, for MA to open with credits to those who made him the man and leader he was in 170. The sections of each book are brief yet poignant. Beholden of many things, he credits his forebears with all manner of instruction, practical and spiritual. He learned to be modest and thoughtful, though not to think too much. Forgiving. Tolerant. Avoiding addictions.

Several themes recur. The importance of unity in the family of man. Avoidance of emotion, most often anger. His comments on logos were especially thought provoking. I came away with tremendous admiration for his temperament. Lesser men and women didn't learn the lessons.

The list form of the meditations is ideal. I employed a similar numbering system in my journals years ago. It's a technique employed by philosophers sorting through complex points.

Perhaps living up to the standard of Marcus Aurelius requires a level of discipline beyond our abilities. It's a nobel course. Almost a form of sainthood, bliss or enlightenment. The reward is happiness. But at what cost? He promotes a level of detachment that isn't very romantic, at best. While he was compassionate, he seemed to reserve the tenderest sentiment for posterity. His inner workings were written rather than spoken. Yet the sentiment is there. While a profound thinker it's also evident that he practiced his beliefs to great effect. The worldly temptations must have been tremendous. Omnipotence had its casualties in Ancient Rome.

In Meditations, one finds a candid companion. He is of course stoic, however intimate and altogether sane. Were his principles adhered to by only a few, I'm sure life would be easier for most.

This is a book I'll keep and reread.
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Dec 03, 2007

Walter rated it

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Recommends it for: human beings

Another great influence in my life; this was the personal philosophical diary of the last "good emperor" of the Roman Empire. In this work Marcus Aurelius draws a picture Stoicism as a philosophy that I call "Buddhism with balls". It is a harsh self discipline that trains its practitioners to be champions (of a sort). Champions of what? Mastery of the self.

The heart of the book is that in order to make oneself free, they must train themselves to become indifferen...moreAnother great influence in my life; this was the personal philosophical diary of the last "good emperor" of the Roman Empire. In this work Marcus Aurelius draws a picture Stoicism as a philosophy that I call "Buddhism with balls". It is a harsh self discipline that trains its practitioners to be champions (of a sort). Champions of what? Mastery of the self.

The heart of the book is that in order to make oneself free, they must train themselves to become indifferent to externals. The externals are those elements in life of which we have no or little control: our ethnicity, sex appeal, intelligence, lifespan, the opinions of others, etc. We must also become very aware of the one thing which we do have control over: our perceptions. Through harsh self analysis, training of the reason and self discipline, we can learn to take control of our perceptions, and in this way become impervious to all misfortune/suffering. Through this practice one cuts the puppet strings by which most people are jerked through life: pleasing others, seeking fame, sexual dominance, material goods, etc., and in the process also is freed of the suffering that stems from not having these false goals met.

This is a book that is extremely empowering. Even if some of the ideals and aims might be utterly impossible (but for a handful of great sages), they are worthy and worth striving towards.

Another aspect that I found interesting, was that here we are able to open a window into the life of a great and noble soul who was struggling to come to terms with the universe. We read the personal thoughts of the master of the civilized world, a man utterly alone and free of peers, who is grappling with the need to find meaning in life. His efforts and obvious agonies are touching. This is a deeply humane work. In many sections he has to repeatedly remind himself of the nature of death (that it is an essential and good part of nature), and often repeated are metaphors relating to the death of a child. These reminders are made very poignant when you understand that several of the Emperor's children (who he apparently loved very much) were taken by disease. This was the one understanding that he seemed to have the hardest time coming to terms with or accepting.

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Aug 28, 2007

Richard rated it

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Recommends it for: Emo Kids

By today's standards, a bog-standard blog.

The only reason that this was preserved in the first place is that the author happened to be a Roman emperor. (That, and that ancient Rome didn't have LiveJournal.)

The only reason that Meditations is still being published today is that once a book gets labeled "classic," hardly anyone who reads it has the grapes to admit that it just wasn't that good. Well...the emperor has no clothes.

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Aug 03, 2010

Abailart rated it

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Or 'reading' again. I don't usually bother to find the actual edition of a book, but although I'd already five starred this one that rating was a familiarity with the book over 20 years. Something to return to.

I am now actually in possession of this particular and fairly recent edition. Very good introduction, excellent notes with cross-referencing, and a very useful index of key words, concepts and ideas.

The Meditations still has, I believe, something to offer us, more ...more

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Mar 15, 2009

Evan rated it

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Like the Tao Te Ching, this is a collection of short, powerful statements. If only Aurelius had as much humor as Lao Tzu, or as generous a view of life. Still, some of Aurelius's reflections have a cold, wintery beauty about them. Best read as poetry rather than any philosophy to take to heart. Only readable in small bites, which makes it perfect for the subway.

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Jun 05, 2011

Mel Vincent rated it

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Shelves: philosophy

This is truly one of the finest and best philosophical books that I have ever come across. This book has all the Mitch Albom books plus the Art of War of Sun Tzu plus the Machiavelli's the prince, Hobbes, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle's political and humanistic view points times the values and lessons of the Last Lecture.

A remarkable book that narrates and explains the different viewpoints in the natural life of Marcus Aurelius. This book is one of the most complex yet simple philosophy...more

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Sep 09, 2008

Rachel rated it

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I give a four to Marcus Aurelius (since he seemed like a pretty fascinating dude but I don't totally agree with him on everything) and a five to translator Gregory Hays for his readable, immediate translation as well as his thoughtful and unpretentious introduction. You can tell he really likes Aurelius, thinks of him as a buddy almost, but is willing to admit that he doesn't completely have his shit together. There's a warmth to his writing as well as a critical eye. It's easy to assume that...more

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Jul 20, 2009

Vanja Antonijevic rated it

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Marcus Aurelius was a good emperor, and also a good philosopher. He is fundamentally a Stoic, but he is not a typical Stoic (see Epictetus). Instead, Aurelius is a Stoic with inner turmoil and conflict. He is not sure at times whether he can follow the Stoic path, and also seems to have a less extreme philosophy. In other words, Aurelius seems to be more humane, and you will not catch him saying anything like this:

"Never say of anything, "I have lost it"; but, "I...moreMarcus Aurelius was a good emperor, and also a good philosopher. He is fundamentally a Stoic, but he is not a typical Stoic (see Epictetus). Instead, Aurelius is a Stoic with inner turmoil and conflict. He is not sure at times whether he can follow the Stoic path, and also seems to have a less extreme philosophy. In other words, Aurelius seems to be more humane, and you will not catch him saying anything like this:

"Never say of anything, "I have lost it"; but, "I have returned it." Is your child dead? It is returned. Is your wife dead? She is returned...While he gives it to you to possess, take care of it; but don't view it as your own, just as travelers view a hotel." -Epictetus

Or this:

"With regard to whatever objects give you delight, are useful, or are deeply loved, remember to tell yourself of what general nature they are, beginning from the most insignificant things. If, for example, you are fond of a specific ceramic cup, remind yourself that it is only ceramic cups in general of which you are fond. Then, if it breaks, you will not be disturbed. If you kiss your child, or your wife, say that you only kiss things which are human, and thus you will not be disturbed if either of them dies."

A very brief summary of the stoic belief (Epictetus was a stoic) would be appropriate. The rough and simplified version (as I see it) is as follows:

1. Suffering/pain is bad
2. One should relieve bad things (such as suffering/pain) whenever it is in one's control
3. (a) Beliefs are in our control, and they lead to (b) attitudes, feelings, and emotions, which in turn are the (c) primary cause of suffering/pain.
Conclusion: One can and should avoid all true pain by fostering the appropriate beliefs.

The objections to this approach are plentiful, but the most popular is to attack the soundness of premise 3a and/or 3c. Also popular is attacking 3b. A more difficult approach is to turn against premise 1 and/or 2. Nietzsche might go for that.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that the Stoics had a very positive view of nature, and felt that death was a natural process, and that nature was generally good. One should think in the context of nature, and life in general should always be viewed with the "big picture" in mind. The conclusion is that we are just tiny, insignificant specs that must make the best of what comes to us from this generous earth, and not cry about our losses.

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Oct 17, 2007

Anand Patel rated it

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It reads like a long affirmation and reaffirmation of Aurelius's beliefs, punctuated by very clever and thoughtful moments. A majority of it felt like a rather painful slog through repetitive discourses on Stoic philosophy. I certainly can't blame the author - it's clear that he never intended for this to be read by anyone other than himself. Nevertheless, there's clearly value in reading this book - I just wouldn't call it a page-turner.

I think the two most interesting parts of the ...more

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Dec 15, 2009

Jon rated it

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I don't think I've read so short a book that took me so long to read. The form (aphorism upon aphorism) makes for a slow but memorable digestion.

Wisdom from a moral Roman leader!:

"Display those virtues which are wholly in your own power: integrity, dignity, hard work, self-denial, contentment, frugality, kindness, independence, simplicity, discretion, magnanimity. Do you not see how many virtues you can already display without any excuse of lack of talent or aptitude...more

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Feb 23, 2008

J4 rated it

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Shelves: all-time-favorite-books

Bury me with this book. Written in AD 121 to 180 this book is a collection of thoughts, short essays and quotes. Almost 2000 years old, the words of Marcus Aurelius echo through to this day.

From book 5, 22 - This reminded me of Hurricane Catrina and our failure in New Orleans.
"What is not harmful to the city, cannot harm the citizen. In every fancied case of harm, apply the rule, 'If the city is not harmed, I am not harmed either.' But if the city should indeed be harmed, ...more

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Jun 25, 2011

Brendan rated it

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How lucky I am to have found a job requiring me to read the classics in light of social and political philosophical concerns. In turn students are then asked to relate these lessons to contemporary politics and existence.
Chris Hedges EAT YOUR HEART OUT.
Aurelius' Meditations, just into my second reading, is a wonderful statement of stoicism by an Emperor late in life , on campaign in the Empire. His articulations of cosmopolitanism, the rhythms and reason of nature, and the essentia...more

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Sep 05, 2009

Nick Klagge rated it

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Downloaded the free Kindle version of this onto my iPod and had it as a backup subway read for those times when I happened to be without my current book. It's written in a perfect format for reading this way--the title is pretty accurate; it's just a collection of thoughts, so it's OK to read just every once in a while. Most of its content was familiar to me and would be to anyone with a little knowledge of Stoic philosophy. Still, there were some striking passages, and it's good stuff to be rem...more

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Mar 19, 2008

Samantha rated it

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Recommends it for: someone with time on their hands.

i recommend the reader go over each verse with a fine tooth comb; it is amazing what you can learn.

not something that you can read in a day, and for all of those "i am a fast reader" people out there, slow down and actually understand what you are reading. marcus' philosophies are so simple they are complex. he follows stoic teachings, with heavy reliance on nature, fate, and natural goodness. i didn't really derive any answers as to why people aren't, then, inherentl...more

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Dec 23, 2009

Nicholas Whyte added it · review of another edition

"http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1340839.html[return][return]It is rather a remarkable book. It's not totally clear that Marcus Aurelius wanted it to be published, or if this was basically his commonplace book (or books) for Deep Thoughts which his admirers circulated after his death. It's a bit jumbled thematically, so I'm inclined to the latter - I think he was a good enough stylist that he'd have organised it a bit better if he was interested in publishing it, and also I don't think he par...more"http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1340839.html[return][return]It is rather a remarkable book. It's not totally clear that Marcus Aurelius wanted it to be published, or if this was basically his commonplace book (or books) for Deep Thoughts which his admirers circulated after his death. It's a bit jumbled thematically, so I'm inclined to the latter - I think he was a good enough stylist that he'd have organised it a bit better if he was interested in publishing it, and also I don't think he particularly was interested in publishing it. So we basically have the secret thoughts of the ruler of the Roman Empire at its height, which is really quite something. (Gibbon tells us, in footnote 47 to chapter III, that he actually gave public philosophy lectures, as Emperor, in Rome, Greece and Asia; presumably we have here some of the raw materials for those lectures.)[return][return]Marcus Aurelius was a believer in the Stoic philosophy: that one should accept one's lot in life, not worry too much about what other people think or about death, and just get on with doing as much good as you can given your personal circumstances. Of course, if your lot in life happens to make you the Roman Emperor, you possibly have fewer grounds to complain about it, or to worry about issues of personal status, than most people. But we all worry about death, including emperors. And Marcus Aurelius is not obsessed with his own celebrity or achievements; the first section of the book is a series of thank-yous to the influential people in his life for their wisdom and intelligence.[return][return]Sufficiently edited and bracketed with explanations, this could make a rather successful if somewhat unusual self-help book. It is not in the usual paradigm: rather than helping the reader look at their insecurities and work through and past them, Marcus Aurelius urges the reader (who in the first instance is himself) to put it all aside, reflect on the immense infinity of space and time, and just get on with it. In some circumstances that actually is the right advice. Though I wonder if even he was really convinced - was his recording of different material covering the same themes a matter of finding several different beautiful thoughts which appealed to him? Or was he trying to persuade himself by repetition?[return][return]Marcus Aurelius' biological legacy to the empire was his appalling son Commodus, whose reign Gibbon marks (in Chapter IV) as very much the crucial starting point of the decline of Rome. His intellectual legacy is rather more impressive, and certainly longer-lasting. I shall look out for a decent dead-trees edition of this; it is very much worth having on the shelves."(less)

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Jan 17, 2012

Mommalibrarian rated it

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Shelves: biography-autobiography, history, nonfiction

I am continuing to read through books I own and have never read. This is another book from the Classics Club. It is based on a translation by George Long. There is a good introduction: Marcus Aurelius was the emperor of Rome and the leader of Rome’s armies. I imagine him keeping these brief journal entries in some camp far from his home. Trying to make sense of his life, his actions and his ability to live up to his beliefs. According to the introduction Marcus was a stoic and stoics believ...more

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Dec 13, 2011

Lance Caselman rated it

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First the cons. The main theme of this book can be summed up in one of my least favorite platitudes: Everything happens for a reason. The corollary is: There’s no reason to ever get upset about anything. But then wouldn’t an attitude like this lead to apathy? No, because even though nothing really matters, and everything is essentially predestined from the beginning of time, and no living thing can overcome its nature, one must still always do one’s duty and try real hard to understand others an...more

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Aug 21, 2011

Hal Carim rated it

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Shelves: 2011

Roman Emperor and Stoic Marcus Aurelius Antoninus' (121-180 AD) MEDITATIONS in 12 books (chapters) on Living, Dying and the Good Life is a collection of his personal reflections and aphorisms while in long campaigns on the crumbling eastern frontier of the Empire. It starts with the observation that life repeats itself - Nothing new under the sun and nothing to you can do to change it. Everything reverts back to fire and restarts. Once you accept it - Life becomes acceptable. He follows wit...more

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Jun 11, 2011

Evelyn rated it

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Shelves: nonfiction, required-reading-for-tyrants

The version I read had only 61 pages, and even then there was a lot of repetition. As far as I can see, Marcus Aurelius recommends only a few basic tenets: that to look within yourself is enough, that you can't let obstacles stand in your way, that everything must go according to nature, that death is not to be feared, that arrogance/affectation are bad, that you should not be distracted, etc. However, I disagree that people should have no imagination/passion and that everything individual mus...more

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Jan 02, 2011

Ugh rated it

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I thought this might inspire me to some worthwhile New Year's resolutions, but "don't be repetitive to the point of enormous tedium" probably isn't going to make my list to be honest.

There are several hundred meditations here, but I wonder whether Marcus Aurelius had late-stage Alzheimer's or something, because actually there are only about 8 different thoughts, which are repeated in one form or another ad nauseum. And even among those, a couple are of no use to an atheist, a...more

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Nov 16, 2010

Michael Griffith rated it

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In preperation for a potential hardship post, I decided to pick up Marcus Aurelius' Meditations- good thing it was unnecessary!

That said, a little background on Aurelius- he was the last in the series of the Five Good Emperors. He has a reputation as a philosopher from the Stoic tradition, although Meditations has a few Epicurian and Socratic references, two other "rival" schools at the time.

Meditations was written while Aurelius was on campaign- something he wa...more

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Oct 06, 2010

Brad Lyerla rated it

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When I was a freshman in college, I lived in a dorm. My roommate was on the football team. He would write inspiring things on poster board and hang them in our room often on the ceiling above his bed to motivate himself. He favored straightforward sentiments like "never give up."

Meditations is an entire book of motivational advice to inspire us in the ways of stoicism. It is a manual for being a complete, mature adult. It is a guide for living a dignified, thoughtful life. ...moreWhen I was a freshman in college, I lived in a dorm. My roommate was on the football team. He would write inspiring things on poster board and hang them in our room often on the ceiling above his bed to motivate himself. He favored straightforward sentiments like "never give up."

Meditations is an entire book of motivational advice to inspire us in the ways of stoicism. It is a manual for being a complete, mature adult. It is a guide for living a dignified, thoughtful life.

Consider: "Suppose that a god announced that your were going to die tomorrow 'or the day after'. Unless you were a complete coward you wouldn't kick up a fuss about which day it was - what difference could it make? Now recognize that the difference between years from now and tomorrow is just as small." Book IV

Or: "Concentrate every minute like a Roman - like a man - on doing what's in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice. And on freeing yourself from distractions. Yes, you can - if you do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you, stop being hypocritical, self-centered, irritable. You see how few things you have to do to live a satisfying and reverent life? If you can manage this, that's all even the gods can ask of you." Book II.

And: "If at some point in your life, you should come across anything better than justice, honesty, self-control, courage - than a mind satisfied that it succeeded in enabling you to act rationally, and satisfied to accept what is beyond its control - if you find anything better than that, embrace it without reservations - it must be an extraordinary thing indeed - and enjoy it to the full. Book III

That these thoughts came from the most powerful man in the world, a man whose personal power so vastly exceeds the personal power of any American president that we have difficulty comprehending it, makes it all the more impressive. Aurelius continually writes that strength comes from humility, self-restraint and good humor towards others. He teaches us to accept what we cannot control and to trust what we know.

Good advice, indeed.(less)

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Aug 15, 2010

Bob Nichols rated it

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The striking part of Meditations is that Marcus Aurelius is determined to accept the world as it is and not to let it get the better of him. Doing the right thing, as guided and disciplined by reason, is what these meditations are about.

His thoughts are based on a view about how the world and reality works. The world is governed by universal laws and so there's a rational structure to it. What happens is meant to happen. The role of the human mind is to understand it and, throu...moreThe striking part of Meditations is that Marcus Aurelius is determined to accept the world as it is and not to let it get the better of him. Doing the right thing, as guided and disciplined by reason, is what these meditations are about.

His thoughts are based on a view about how the world and reality works. The world is governed by universal laws and so there's a rational structure to it. What happens is meant to happen. The role of the human mind is to understand it and, through reason, govern one's life accordingly. His views on the cycle of life and death, including his own, best illustrates his worldview about the nature of reality and one's place in it, and how one must accept death as our ultimate fate.

While his views about the impermanence of the world are impressive, Marcus Aurelius seems focused on constructing a world as he believes it ought to be, not as it is. This gets to his almost sole focus on using reason to deny pain and to will unpleasantness out of existence. It's admirable in a way, but also seems unreal and possibly unhealthy (not being true to oneself). In a similar way, he makes various assertions about how the world ought to be (higher creatures "must exist for one another"). This sounds like a logical truth but it is a non sequitur. Why "must"? "Human beings...have reason," he says, "so treat them in a spirit of fellowship". The word "so" in this context is loaded with the sound of truth but for the skeptic it really begs a deeper question: "Why?"

All of the precursors to the contemporary views of reason are here in the Meditations. Reason is the divine spirit within. The real self is mind. Reason directs impulses. Through mind, reason and law, we become world citizens, part of the brotherhood of rational beings. All things are one, but thinking creatures occupying the highest place and "lower orders of creation must exist for the higher...." We are part of universal mind. Justice is reason. Displays of anger and grief is a weakness; they need to be controlled by reason ("real men don't cry"). As to who among us have mind and reason, Marcus Aurelius does not include women in the same category as men because or their "womanish disposition" that is not as susceptible to rational control, or because of their "womanishly wilful heart." How this is a conclusion of the rational mind is unclear.

Finally, on an unrelated note, Marcus Aurelius makes an interesting reference to "the drooping head of a corn stalk," which makes one wonder if corn was a sole product of the New World after all. (less)

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Jul 20, 2010

Laura Leaney rated it

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Recommended to Laura by: Will at UCLA

This is the collection of the private thoughts of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who wrote them (I imagine) under conditions both conducive and dangerous. I haven't the foggiest notion how the words survived, but if I close my eyes I can see him bowed over a camp desk, small quill in hand, castigating the weaknesses of mind and body through words. They call him the philosopher-king, but to me that implies a kind of lolling about in some gorgeous Roman courtyard, while Marcus Aurelius fought alon...moreThis is the collection of the private thoughts of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who wrote them (I imagine) under conditions both conducive and dangerous. I haven't the foggiest notion how the words survived, but if I close my eyes I can see him bowed over a camp desk, small quill in hand, castigating the weaknesses of mind and body through words. They call him the philosopher-king, but to me that implies a kind of lolling about in some gorgeous Roman courtyard, while Marcus Aurelius fought alongside his men, dying with his army - in the midst of a horrible thirteen year battle to crush the Germans - right before his 59th birthday.

I can't quite wrap my mind around some of his beliefs, but like the stoics, his view that the conflicts that beset us can best be viewed as tests of our strength certainly do make a happier life seem possible. Rather than moan and bitch about our troubles, we should quietly welcome the adversity in order to strengthen ourselves. In some ways, a few of his thoughts seem nearly Buddhist to me. He writes: "To live each day as if it were your last without speeding up or slowing down or pretending to be other than what you are--this is perfection of character."

Universities sometimes ask their applicants that ghastly question, "if you could meet one person from the past, who would it be?", but now I have an answer, although I'm too old to need it. I would love to meet this emperor (although I might possibly have to change my gender) and speak with him about his strength and look into the eyes of a man who struggled so mightily to improve his own moral conduct while trying to preserve his country.

One of my favorite passages is this: "There's no need to dress up the truth. It will be evident in your words. Written on your face. Ringing in your voice. Flashing from your eyes--as you understand at a glance the meaning in your lover's look. The sincere and good man gives off such an unmistakable odor that whenever he walks by you can't fail to smell him, whether you want to or not. / Studied sincerity is a stiletto." Ooooh, that last bit is nice!(less)

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Mar 02, 2010

Billie Pritchett rated it

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Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor and a Stoic. Stoicism as a practical form of life can be summed up in the following paraphrase from Epictetus, another Stoic: Don't wish for things to happen as you would like them to happen; rather, wish for things to happen as they do happen. (Incidentally, Epictetus came to Stoicism when he was a slave, a world of contrast away from Marcus Aurelius's coming to Stoicism as an emperor.) Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is an intriguing book, because it is his st...more

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Aug 05, 2009

Bruce rated it

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The writing in the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, written by this wise Roman Emperor, is very flowing, personable, and readable, almost like a personal letter in tone, easy to understand as a man’s journal and thoughts for himself. Reading it makes me wish that I could have sat in Aurelius’s presence and listened to him, talked with him. Having his writings is the next best thing, and one can read him as if one were in his presence.

“Constantly regard the universe as one living bei...more

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Jul 27, 2009

Miguel Mayher rated it

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Video Review at BookVIM -> Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
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Meditations is a book that doesn't age.

Written almost two millennia ago, it is today just as relevant as in the times of Roman splendor it was written.

Marcus Aurelius was an emperor with a hard life: his wife died, his relationship with some was troublesome, he endured war during most of his reign. During his 50s, he decided to write a code for living a good life, a sort of self-prescription ...more

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Nov 16, 2011

اویس rated it

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After reading Russell's section on stoicism from his "History of western Philosophy".I have to change my view (but not my rating!) about Marcus Aurelius.

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Jan 27, 2011

Frank rated it

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Shelves: unabridged-audiobook

Reading The Meditations, you can really tell that Marcus Aurelius understood how the mind worked and how to achieve the kind of deep, consistent happiness that is virtually independent of external circumstances.

There's a lot of overlap with Buddhism, in that both recognize that nearly all of people's suffering comes from desiring what they don't have and from resisting reality instead of understanding and accepting it to the best of their ability (though this does not in any way precl...more

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Dec 04, 2010

Michael rated it

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I read this because the author was referenced in an episode of "Law and Order: Criminal Intent." It was "Dictates of a Warrior," not this one.

Granted, I've probably been exposed to derivative works before getting to this one, so I won't comment on its originality beyond it offering me nothing to chew on. If it were a modern work, I could see it on the shelf (or in the bin) with the self-important memoirs of politicians and CEOs, reflecting on their shallow grasp of ...more

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About Marcus Aurelius

Date of Birth: April 26, 121 A.D.
Date of Death: March 17, 180 A.D.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (often referred to as "the wise") was Roman Emperor from 161 to his death in 180. He was the last of the "Five Good Emperors", and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers. His tenure was marked by wars in Asia against a revitalized Parth...more

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Marcus Aurelius and His Times (The Transition from Paganism to Christianity--Classics Club Edition)

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“Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together,but do so with all your heart.” — 212 people liked it

“Our life is what our thoughts make it.” — 143 people liked it

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Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Oxford World's Classics)

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