Meditations by Marcus Aurelius: the New Translation

by Marcus Aurelius

Following this line of thinking, each human is not only part of a universal whole, but part of the social whole—we were made for each other, and to harm another would be to act against Nature.

Human nature consists in being just, kind, and generous; we are social creatures at heart; we should forgive easily and teach each other; we should mind our own business; other people can’t hurt you, as pain and trauma are only as painful and traumatic as your mind allows; the fear of death is irrational, and you can quell your anxiety by remembering how many others in history have passed before you; passions and lust, if not controlled, will hold you back from your true potential; good and bad are constructs, but have real value; fame is fleeting; and rational thinking and high principles can bring happiness. But most importantly, he asks us to remember that being just, benevolent, and generous is literally what we were made to do, so get out there and live life and be good, because you’re going to die really soon.

He was happiest when investigating and discovering the world in a scientific, methodical way, never giving over to anger or other passions. He was very affectionate, and could express admiration without being grandiose, and he was smart but never pretentious.

I grew to understand the importance of a republic, a society where laws apply equally to each member: equal rights and freedom of speech.

From him I learned to be undeviating and consistent in my regard for philosophy. To be good, to share, to be optimistic with my hopes, and recognize and accept the love granted by friends. He never held back his opinions on those he criticized, nor were his friends ever left guessing his point of view on anything, which was always quite clear.

From Maximus I learned self-control, and not to be led astray by my passions. I learned cheerfulness and courage in all circumstances, especially illness. And to keep my moral character swe...

He examined things from all sides, as if he had abundance of time, in an orderly, vigorous, consistent way, to avoid confusion. Like Socrates, he was able to both abstain from and sometimes enjoy those things which many are too weak to abstain from or enjoy without excess. Such strength in restraint and sobriety is the mark of a consummate, fierce soul—which Maximus showed even in illness.

To act against one another is contrary to our very nature, as is giving in to anger and turning away from another in frustration.

Whatever I am, it is nothing more than a little flesh and breath and some intelligence.

You have a limited, fixed time here, and if you fail to clear the clouds from your mind, it will go and you will go, never to return.

Always keep this in mind: the nature of the universe, your own nature, and how these two things relate to one another.

Since it is possible you may depart from life at any moment, regulate every act and thought accordingly.

How quickly all things disappear—objects of the world, memories in time.

There is hardly anything in the world that fails to give pleasure to the person whose insights into nature produce deeper feelings of respect.

Remember that every rational animal is family, and to care for all humans is to act according to human nature.

Maintain your stance without being arrogant about it. But just make sure you’ve done your research.

For nothing is so productive and elevating as to be able to examine truly and methodically every object presented by life, to see the universe for what it is, and what kind of use everything performs in it, and what value everything has with reference to the whole, with reference to humans, who are citizens of the highest city, of which all other cities are like families. Keep track of what each thing is, of what it is composed, and how long it was meant to last. Ask yourself, what kind of an impression does this make on me? What virtues should I bring to the table, in order to show my respect for it—gentleness, bravery, truth, trust, sincerity, equanimity, etc?

But always bear this in mind, that within a very short time both you and he will be dead, and not even your names will survive.

Don’t fall prey to following the opinions of your enemy, search out the truth yourself.

You are a part of something larger. And you will vanish back into that wholeness. Or rather...you will be transmuted.

Most of what we do is unnecessary...take away the unnecessary parts, and you have more time for leisure and less anxiety.

Life is short, so you must profit in the present by aid of reason and justice. Be clear-headed and present.

Either it is a well-arranged universe or a huddled chaos...yet still a universe. Can you keep yourself orderly while disorder rules All? When everything is so separated and dispersed yet reliant on each other?

Whomever does not seek to understand the universe and how it operates will remain a stranger to it.

But what is eternal remembrance, anyway? Nothing at all. Then what should we strive for? One path: conscientious thoughts, good acts, truthful words, and a disposition that gladly accepts all that comes as necessary and familiar from the unified universe.

Everything exists for one day only, both what is remembered and who it is remembering.

The universe is one living being, having one substance and one soul. All things reference one perception, act with one movement. Everything cooperates in the cause of all other things, continuously spinning the texture of the web.

Time is a violent river of events. As soon as a thing is seen, it’s carried away, and here comes another thing in its place, and there it goes, too.

Philosophy shouldn’t be a master, but a medicine:

The universe is enveloped in such a way that even the greatest philosophers, even Stoics, find it ineffable and mysterious.

It’s a shame that ignorance or arrogance might ever be as strong as wisdom.

Keep in mind how fast things change and disappear, both what is and what will be. The material world is like a flowing river, where everything is always swirling into infinite varieties and nothing stands still. Remember the void of the past and the void of the future, in which all things disappear, and ask yourself what kind of fool makes himself miserable getting frustrated for what exists for such a short period of time.

Stir his rational mind with your own. Show him his error.

The intelligence of the universe is social.

Look and see how Nature has subordinated, coordinated, and assigned everything its proper place and portion, bringing together what is best.

Recall where you’ve been, what you’ve endured. Now imagine your history is over, your service ended...how many beautiful things have you seen? How many pleasures and pains have you spurned? How many so-called honors have you declined? How many awful people have you been kind to?

Don’t put too much stock in the appearance of things, and help others according to your ability and their fitness.

Look within. Don’t let the essence or value of anything escape you.

The rational mind excites and maintains itself, and while it makes itself the way it is, and what it will be, it also chooses how to view everything around it.

Humans are weird.

If anyone is able to convince me that I’m not thinking or acting correctly, I will gladly change, for I seek the truth, by which no person was ever injured. Injury befalls the ignorant person.

Consider how much happens inside of us each day—events of the body and soul. Now consider that all things in the Cosmos exist within that same time frame.

Life is made of parts which are your duty to observe, without being disturbing or disturbed. Simply finish what is set before you.

And now that you are awake, aware that your troubles were mere dreams, look now upon the world as if it were a dream.

If you’re alive now, you’ve seen it all, everything that has taken place before and everything that will arrive, into eternity, for all things are kin to one kind and form.

Consider the connection of all things in the universe and their interrelatedness. In a sense, everything is implicated in the other: simpatico. For one thing follows another, by virtue of natural movement and mutual conspiring and the unity of matter.

Does the sun try to do the work of the rain?

For all things above and below are the same, arriving from the same place.

Really listen to people.

How quickly time obscures all things...how much already erased.