Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library Classics)

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It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.” There is a strange dichotomy to Meditations. There is great wisdom to be had while also containing rambling nonsense. The thing you have to understand is that this book is a series of entries some guy made of his, sometimes completely random, thoughts. Conceitedly, that's basically what philosophy is. Forced perspective in written form. And, as with the rest of the human race, not every thought is a winner. Death is not to be feared, Marus continually reminds himself. It is a natural process, part of the continual change that forms the world”

Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library) Kindle Edition Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library) Kindle Edition

This doesn't mean that I agree with nor do I believe everything Aurelius says. Of course, this is the beauty of philosophy—it simply begs you to think. Don't waste the rest of the time here worrying about other people unless it affects the common good. It will keep you from doing anything useful."

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Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 1221-180) however, an emperor of the Roman Empire, is still with us. Through this collection of aphorisms and thoughts we can still read about his daily musings and stoic philosophy of life. The title is appropriate as it seems like his own meditative guide and practice. This was not meant for publication and doesn’t seem like a straightforward diary, but it has been in modern times considered a self-help book. Stoicism might not be for everyone, it assumes more free will then we might have, and it places responsibility on the individual to be comfortable with their own unhappiness, but there is enough in these writings by the emperor to connect to many human generations. Practice really hearing what people say. Do your best to get inside their minds Meditations by Marcus Aurelius The main positive for me is that this was actually written by a Roman emperor, which puts the reader in his mind and thoughts. At the same time, the work felt a little dimished by the fact it was written by an emperor, in the sense that it is easy for a person of the most privilege to talk about doing away with desires, or taking things as they come, seeing death as something to not fear, etc. This type of view feels much more genuine from philosophers or personnages who, by their circumstances, endure hardships by living their beliefs or philosophy.

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It's fascinating how Marcus's notes to himself are still so applicable today given that they were written nearly 2000 years ago. He clearly spent a lot of time thinking about philosophy and in particular how it can be used to live a good life He reminds himself that he's often choosing his own hell. And he can choose to climb out of it. That like C.S. Lewis says, people want to be in hell. They choose it and blame God, just as the addict blames others for his addiction, and cannot escape. Aurelius says: You know what to do: now go do it. And from The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford: If I had a goodly apple on my table for 9 years that was rotten to the core - but for 9 years, I had and believed it to be good - is it wrong of me to believe that for 9 years I had a goodly apple? (Actual quote.) On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It by Seneca (Author), C. D. N. Costa (Translator)The key themes that reoccur across the books are: the importance of a rational mind, accepting one's fate/ living according to nature, accepting your mortality, and having compassion/ understanding for others (even for those who wrong you). This book was written by Marcus Aurelius reigned as Roman emperor from 161 to 180 CE and is best known as the last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome (following Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius)