The Essential Marcus Aurelius

by Jacob Needleman, John P. Piazza

This inaugural-and all new-Tarcher Cornerstone Edition presents a stunningly relevant and reliable translation of the thoughts and aphorisms of the Stoic philosopher and Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, properly placing the philosopher-king's writings within the vein of the world's great religious and ethical traditions.

The late antique world possessed no voice like that of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE). His private meditations on what constitutes a good life have withstood the centuries and reach us today with the same penetrating clarity and shining light as the words of Shakespeare, Emerson, or Thoreau.

In this remarkable new translation, bestselling religious philosopher Jacob Needleman and classics scholar John P. Piazza have retained the depth of Marcus's perspective on life. They have carefully selected and faithfully rendered those passages that clarify Marcus's role as someone who stood within the great religious and ethical traditions that extend throughout every culture in human history. The voice that emerges from their translation is a universal one, equally recognizable to students of Christ, Buddha, the Vedas, the Talmud, and to anyone who sincerely searches for a way of meaning in contemporary life.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics, Nonfiction, History, Psychology, Self Help, Personal Development

144 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 180

About the author

Jacob Needleman is Professor of Philosophy at San Francisco State University, former Visiting Professor at Duxx Graduate School of Business Leadership in Monterrey, Mexico, and former Director of the Center for the study of New Religions at The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He was educated in philosophy at Harvard, Yale and the University of Freiburg, Germany. He has also served as Research Associate at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, as a Research Fellow at Union Theological Seminary, as Adjunct Professor of Medical Ethics at the University of California Medical School and as guest Professor of Religious Studies at the Sorbonne, Paris (1992).

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the words I thought I was going to choose to describe this book, I didn't think 'adorable' would be one of them. And really, it isn't. But it does have sort of the aura, the fragrance the... je ne sais quoi, if you will, of adorable. I am absolutely reacting to this having just lived through fifteen years of the ironic jokes of the aughts and also the poses of the '90s that I was too young to really do, but absorbed by osmosis. But if someone tried this today, it would be a sitcom episode- he'd be the guy one of the Friends characters dated who seemed like he was amazing, this would be one of his habits- until we discover his ridiculous flaw, or one of the other characters admits they're jealous of him dating the other friend, and he'd go off in a vaguely laughable, black turtleneck wearing cloud of seriousness before our two main characters made out.

Now granted, I'm judging by the extracts pulled out here (mostly because this was on sale for $1 at the used book sale and the real Meditations wasn't), but it's basically a combination of a self-examination diary in the style of Ben Franklin's (though more exhortative rather than self-flagellating), one of those "daily affirmations" books, a self-help course, and advice from your most earnest friend- the one who never breaks the rules and will really seriously question you about having done so in the nicest way possible.

Some of Marcus' advice is obviously going to read as a bit dated (unless you are still into goat sacrifices to the gods), and some of it is going to seem more than a little bit priggish. (He can give the most Victorian of Victorians a run for their money at points. Just try to talk to him about your identity as a foodie.) He can also seem a little bit like he's not into being a person for a guy who spends repeated pages preaching about how everything has its place in nature and go with what nature gave them. He really is into everything being done unemotionally and reasonably, and in moderation and he's not afraid to tell you about it. Over.. and over... and over again.

But then of course you'd have to remember that anyone who felt the need to write this down this many times was probably having as much trouble with it as anyone. Some of this read like he was taking himself to task- some of it like he was frustrated with someone else. Some of it was as serene as he would have wanted, like he actually was able to follow through. I would love to know which bit was written when (... and that would make a lovely historical novel if someone wanted to follow through on that. I would buy it.).

And then there are the parts that are not so dated. For example, Marcus Aurelius surprisingly, but most definitely seems to have wrestled with atheism in much the same way Tolstoy did (they both felt the thought of there not being gods was too horrible to contemplate, so went with the idea that even though I know they are probably not there, I'm going to choose to believe that they are in the end after I scare myself enough- though Marcus was brave enough to actually go further and experiment with the idea of humanism even if there weren't any gods and say he'd still act this way because he would still have control over his own choices- shades of Hitchens.)

There are other parts, too, that spoke across thousands of years like it was nothing, and with lucidity and clarity and occasional poignancy. I would imagine that the parts that speak to you would depend on what you're going through right now, but there's a lot of great stuff in here about you should probably give less of a shit about what your friends are doing or what they think of you, or envying things you don't have (social media!), about how you're going to die soon so you should probably stop wasting time now (YOLO!), dismissing fame as empty and hollow (reality tv!), about thinking about yourself as part of a wider human race, rather than a member of this or that region or identity group (...pretty much all liberal ideas), and arguing for reasoned, measured actions and discourse that proceed from ideas, rather than emotions ("Bullshit is everywhere!", right?). Self-helpy it might be, but he's not wrong about a lot of stuff:

"Go ahead, soul, be destructive, but you may not have another opportunity to honor yourself, for each person has only one life- and yours is almost finished; yet you still do not respect yourself, but locate your happiness in the minds of others."

"Revere your capacity for making decisions. Everything depends on this alone."

"Do what you will. Even if you tear yourself apart, they will continue doing the same things."

"Do you desire to be praised by a man who curses himself three times every hour? Do you desire to gain the approval of people who do not even approve of themselves?"

"No time to read or study. But it is possible to restrain my pride; it is possible to rise above pleasures and pains; it is possible to rise above reputation; it is possible not only not to be angry with the insensitive and ungrateful, but even to care for them."

"Does what has happened to you prevent you from being just, great-souled, self-controlled, considerate, deliberate, honest, modest, independent, and all other such qualities which, when present, allow us to realize our true nature? For the remainder of your life, whenever anything causes pain for you, make use of this principle: "This is not unfortunate. Indeed, to bear such things nobly is good fortune."

I love that word "great-souled" by the way. The notes say that this is where the word "magnanimous" came from, but I think we should bring that one back. Not only is it a great description of what Marcus Aurelius clearly was, filled to the brim with all the qualities that make someone soulful, with the goal of overflowing onto the world. He was clearly someone facing his own mortality and the brief nature of life and finding it difficult (much like Yourcenar's version of fictionalized man he inherited his empire from, Hadrian. Which, if you haven't read that yet, please for the love of everything, stop reading this review and go get it.)

(.....I'm not kidding! Only people who have read Memoirs of Hadrian are allowed here now. The rest of you have something important to do! Get on now!

Just us now? Okay, let's go on...)

This is the sort of book that you could leave by your bedside, something to pick up before you get up for the day when you need motivation, something to calm you down at night, to help you pick apart what you're mad at. Hell, it would make a great intellectual bathroom book- ha! Take that, people with your issues of the New Yorker and The Atlantic (.... except not, because I do not care for the opinion of people who do not even approve of themselves... just like Marcus Aurelius...).

Whatever he says, however corny, he really means it, and you can see that he tried very hard to make it true and aspirational and it was a goal he was constantly trying to reach. And sometimes, on top of all that, he even made it lovely:

"The sun seems to pour itself down, and pours itself in every direction, but it is not emptied. For this pouring is an extension, and its rays are so named because of its extension. You can observe this if you watch sunlight shining through some narrow crack in a dark room. It extends itself in a straight line until it encounters some solid body which stops its extension. There the light rests, and it does not move or fall off.

This is how the pouring and diffusion of the mind must be, for it is not a pouring out, but rather an extension of itself; and it should not make a violent or angry impact upon whatever stands in its way; nor should it simply fall away, but rather it should stand firm and illuminate whatever receives it. Whatever does not accept it and help it on its way only deprives itself of light."

...You see? I really think I would recommend everyone having a copy of this or the full Meditations lying around. I can't imagine that it wouldn't speak to you at some point in your life. Get it. You honestly can't go wrong.


PS- By the way- If anyone find favorite quotes of their own that spoke to you, I'd love to hear about them in the comments. Please, let me know! I'd find it fascinating.

[The Literary Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has your rule been literally plagued by disease? Have you been the object of adoration, but also of hatred? Has the market devastated your 401(k)? Ever lose a loved one? Miss your train to Great Neck? Had to fend off invaders from the east? Whatever the setback, Marcus Aurelius will get you through it.

A cornerstone of Stoicism, his meditations can help retrain your brain to reign in emotions and act – or not – with a clear eye. Stoicism is all about being impervious to life’s vicissitudes. "Be like the jutting rock against which waves are constantly crashing, and all around it the frothing foam of the waters then settles back down.”

For stoics, the difference is between being defeated or enduring. It is the difference between saying, "Oh, I am so unfortunate that this has happened to me,” and “How fortunate I am that, even though this has happened to me, I continue uninjured, neither terrified by the present nor in fear of the future."

Aurelius, Emperor of Rome from CE 161 to 180, knew what he was talking about. He was pulled into a war with Parthia after a Parthian land-grab. Upon the war’s conclusion, returning soldiers brought back a plague that devastated Rome. His empire was also attacked by fierce Germanic tribes and he later had to fight a rival, Avidius Cassius, to keep his crown. Meanwhile his home life also brought misery. Aurelius’ suffered the loss of a number of his 13 children, such that he wrote that rather than pray: “‘How I may not lose my little child,’ one must pray ‘how I may not be afraid to lose him?’”.

Stoicism was influenced by the teachings of Socrates. Aurelius studied other foundational tracts written by the former slave, Epictetus. The philosophy emphasizes fate, reason, and self-restraint. In his own writings, Aurelius stresses the shortness of life and that one should live according to principals that allow him to have respect for himself, rather than react to what motivates others or how others view him. He writes “Remember also that each man lives only the present moment: The rest of time is either spent and gone or is quite unknown.”

This translation, by John Piazza and Jacob Needleman, is clear, concise, and user-friendly. Those wanting to delve deeper can certainly find more detailed editions, but Piazza and Needleman cherry-pick the most universal principals that are as relevant and troubling to people today as they were to one of the grandest Roman Emperors of his time.
It is unclear as to whether Aurelius was writing for posterity or to clear his own thinking, but his tome is the Mother of All Self-Help Books. The next time your home gets destroyed in a Donnie Darko type catastrophe, or your business goes bust, or something you bought yesterday goes on sale today at 50% off, it might be tempting to have a drink, but consider picking up your Marcus Aurelius.

Come to think of it, you could do both.
www.theliterarychick.com

[Cristian Rusu · Rating 5 out of 5]

12.4 "I have often been amazed at how every person loves himself more than he loves others yet places less value on his own judgment of himself than on the judgments of others concerning him. "

12.21 "Consider that before long you will be nobody and nowhere; nor will even one of the things you now see continue to exist. Nor even one of those who now live. For it is the nature of all things to change, to move, and to perish so that another may come to be in their place."

It was quite a beautiful and interesting read for such a short book. From his writings i can see that Marcus was concerned with the nature of human beings. Constantly addressing the questions like: what is my nature? what is the nature of the Whole? The questions he asks can be eye opening and from time to time i just had to make a pause to really understand what he means.

He is really concerned with what we as humans value most during our lifetime. He wants to make us understand that our lives can be so unpredictable and transitory that it's not even worthy to occupy our mind with thoughts that are not beneficial to our own self. Living life in constant fear of death is plainly stupid, because death as dawn and twilight are part of the Cosmos. It is the way by which nature rules.

Also another good idea is that fear is pretty much just an imaginary thing, it exists in our minds because we let it be there. But if we do not fall to this weaknesses like fear, anger, we can in fact discover the true freedom of the self.

The place we should find salvation isn't somewhere external it is all within ourselves. Because in the end everything happens for a reason (so cliche), but it actually is so.

[Clay Kallam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four stars come from the content, which is Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius' meditations on life -- in fact, the title of this book is usually "Meditations." But Jacob Needleman and John Piazza have, for some reason, decided to eliminate much of the content of the original work, apparently in an effort to make it clearer and easier for 21st century readers.

That's a noble goal, I guess, but enough has been left out that it makes me wary of what's been left in. In other words, is this really Marcus Aurelius, or is it more Needleman and Piazza?

What's in this slim volume is just fine, a combination of Hellenistic Stoicism and August Comte ("this is the best of all possible worlds"), and the translation is crisp and readable. Marcus Aurelius, who spent most of his time as emperor fighting off barbarians far from Rome, was profoundly influenced by the Stoic thought that had developed over the past 400 years (he lived in the 2nd century CE). The goal was to live a happy, fulfilled life, and the Stoics argued that such a life was only possible in the haven of one's own mind. The body and the world were too full of pain and suffering to rely on, so a good Stoic would do his best (women were given short shrift in the ancient world) to rise above pain, suffering and bad luck by comforting himself with the knowledge that he was doing the best he could to act in a proper manner,

At the same time, Marcus Aurelius convinced himself that the universe was essentially good, and in fact, everything in it happened for the best, even though mere humans couldn't grasp the plan.

The philosophy expressed in "The Essential Marcus Aurelius" is not only durable but also useful, even if readers can't quite swallow all of an emperor's sunny view of life. There's much of value here, and again, the translation makes it easy to absorb.

I only wish there had been more of that translation so readers could have judged for themselves what was worthwhile and what was not.

[Aleksander Prifti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a profound glimpse into the mind of one of history's great Stoic philosophers and Roman emperors. This collection of writings and meditations reflects Aurelius's timeless wisdom, emphasizing the importance of virtue, self-discipline, and embracing life's challenges.

With its insightful reflections on resilience, inner peace, and ethical living, this book serves as a thought-provoking guide for those seeking to navigate the complexities of life with grace and wisdom.

[Jason Braithwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read. Very important to understand the context while reading it, don't forget that Marcus Aurelius is writing to himself. He never refers to himself once as emperor, General or philosopher. Only as a human being and a Roman. Very modest and humble. Stimulating and thought provoking. Highly recommend.

[H. K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to the bookstore ready to pick up Plato, but the back of this book piqued my interest so I picked it up instead. And oh my stars, am I glad I picked it up.

(Note: read the foreword of the book, as it provides invaluable context for Marcus’s thought processes.)

This is a collection of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius’s work that he wrote while he was away from home in the military. Keeping that in mind, I could envision him in his spare moments, writing down his own thoughts on how he thought he should perceive and react to the world in the context of his time, through the teachings of his family and tutors, and through his observations of nature, war, and the society in which he lived. He wrote this collection to no one but himself, and it shows through his frankness and sometimes brief, raw clarity of speech. Marcus focused greatly on the inner workings of the soul, control of one’s emotions, kindness toward one’s fellow man, education of the ignorant while avoiding condescension, and finding meaning through hard work and social interaction in a life that seems so brief compared to eternity.

Marcus’s words hit me hard, in a way I didn’t expect. This translation proved poignant and thought-provoking. I would recommend this to literally anyone.

Here are some of the quotes that absolutely floored me:

“…we have been made for cooperation, just like the feet, the hands, the eyelids, and the upper and lower teeth. To hinder one another then, is contrary to Nature, and this is exactly what happens when we are angry and turn away from each other.”

“Toward what end am I now making use of my soul?”

“The noblest way of taking revenge on others is to refuse to become like them.”

“Do you desire to be praised by a man who curses himself three times every hour? Do you desire to gain the approval of those who do not even approve of themselves?”

Read the whole book. You won’t regret it.

[Michael Kress · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this. I gave it 3 stars the first time, but now I have a better understanding of Stoicism and the ability to apply its concepts, so I can see that it deserves 5. Aurelius is widely regarded as the greatest Stoic philosopher, and I'd say he deserves that title, because he really guides you in how to handle stressful situations like he had as an emperor. After reading this for the second time, I've been been more successful in applying Stoicism to my life than ever before. One of the major factors was the translation and selection process of this short book. Jacob Needleman and John P. Piazza made it much easier to digest than George Long's version (not that I won't go back and revisit Long's). Another personal factor is that since I have better mental health due to an altogether healthier lifestyle, I'm able to apply the principles much more effectively. I didn't rush through the book. I meditated on bite-size portions that I could draw from throughout the day. At the end is a glossary of terms. After reading it I wished I had read it first because of its applicability. So you might want to read the back glossary first. This is one of the best self-help books I've read.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus Aurelius wrote these thoughts for himself, but his meditations remain insightful and helpful centuries later. There should be no doubt: When you need a self-help book, go for the dead authors first! They've stood the test of time.

[Tom Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as stirring as my favorite translation (that'd be Hays' from 2002) but very clear, very accessible, and true to author's intent. The tone throughout is earnest and the writing is lean and compelling. Bookending the main text is an impassioned, reverent introduction and an illuminating glossary of terms to refine your understanding of key concepts throughout. The translators took great care to create a context for this version.

Purists take note: some sections have been omitted or excised where the translators were unable to clearly determine a fitting English translation, and they prized readability and cohesion of message over textual completion. But the most significant bits are retained and powerfully conveyed.

5 stars out of 5.

[Rohit Arora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read my fair share of self-help books, I’ve started to feel like they don’t offer much anymore. I’m not sure where I first heard about The Essential Marcus Aurelius, but knowing it was written in the 2nd century, I thought it might provide a fresh perspective or unique insight.

After reading (or, more accurately, skimming) it, I didn’t find much that felt new or groundbreaking. The themes are timeless, but perhaps because I’ve encountered similar ideas in modern books, nothing stood out as particularly eye-opening. In the end, it reinforced the idea that life simply is what it is.

Rating: 3/5

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very readable new translation and excellent selection of Marcus Aurelius's writings. It's a smooth and insightful read that also has a wonderful calming effect.

If many of these aphorisms were presented to the average person without telling who wrote them or from what historical culture it emerged, identifying it as the work of a Roman emperor would never be guessed. The running theme of man's stewardship over his own psyche and the triviality of anything outside of it is something you see in Eastern philosophy (and certainly centuries later in Jungian psychology), but I didn't expect to find it in Roman philosophy. And it's not really a disassociation from the world as it is an emphasis on nurturing the inner cosmos. The interaction with anything "external" becomes an internal interaction when the people and events observed show a common root in one's own psyche. It reminds you a little of the end of Faust where it's said that whatever is perishable is just a parable. This speaks of a mind who understands the essence of its culture's mythology and the way day-to-day events become an extension of that teaching mechanism, sort of a living mythology for the present moment.

His philosophy is also one of acceptance of all of life's changes and whatever happens to you when it's in accord with the nature of yourself or of the cosmos. He communicates the nobility of meeting each event with a sense of duty and humility. It's an approach to life's events that can be summed up in his simple aphorism: "Receive without conceit, release without struggle".

[Jenny Lam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this together with the full version in the Harvard Classics Volume 2. This translation definitely helped my understanding on some of the paragraphs. As this is not a book written for an audience, it can get repetitive as with all the diary-style books (or maybe I am just an impatient reader).

Marcus Aurelius started the book by writing about people in his life and what he had learned from them. I felt a little impatient to read at first but later, when I came across a paragraph

"When thou wishest to delight thyself, think of the virtues of those who live with thee. For nothing delights so much as the examples of the virtues when they are exhibited in the morals of those who live with us."

Suddenly, I understood how important that is. Sometimes I don't recognize and therefore cannot appreciate the virtue in people around me and it is important to do so.

Also, it is a good idea to question the company I keep nigh of any (detectable) virtue (says the cynic in me).

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este é um livro infinito... Pela época em que foi escrito, e pela grandiosidade do seu autor, Marco Aurélio, imperador do império Romano... O amplo cenário histórico em que compunha a história de nosso autor, de um desenrolar contínuo de guerras, intrigas, e negras decisões emoldura o universo simples íntimo e humilde do estoicismo, filosofia que teve Marco Aurélio como um de seus expoentes máximos.

É difícil não ver aqui a origem de muitos dos formatos para nós tão familiares da fé e do vigor do caráter moral... Nasce a questão da liberdade interior.

Companheiro para consolar nos momentos difíceis, fica aqui um de seus pensamentos, talvez com uma boa dose de ironia:

"How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life!"

[Geoff Bartakovics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought a hardcover version of this years ago and read it before I had experienced enough ups and downs to appreciate it. Came across it again on iPad iBooks and dove back it. If I were better with schedules and willpower and such, I'd commit to reading it annually on my birthday -- the way better men than I claim to read Ulysses or Brothers Karamazov on theirs. Anyway: good lessons in here, some Oprah-style short.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depressing and repetitive, but useful and practical. I found myself doggy-earing (yes, I do that) many pages. This is the kind of book you can open up to any page and find advice on whatever problem you are having at the moment because it deals with one's perception of things rather than the actual events that are occurring.

[Tyler Harran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that you'll want to read daily, then re-read monthly or yearly. There are so many morsels of wisdom and knowledge in here that it is just too much for one sitting. It is like having access to the private thoughts of a Roman Emperor. Except, he didn't know anybody would be reading it 2000 years later so its as honest, raw and rich as could possibly be.

[Jonnyboy]

"What could be clearer? No other life is more appropriate for the practice of philosophy than that life which you now happen to be living."

[Nathan Albright · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know how it is when a musician who only had an album or two of material starts to look less impressive than otherwise when one has an essential greatest hits collection that makes a sketchy career look even sketchier? That is what we are dealing with here. I have mixed feelings about Marcus Aurelius and the way that so many people try to paint him as a particularly insightful ruler and moral exemplar when he was definitely someone far more questionable than is often seen as the case. When one is dealing with a writer who really only has two known works–namely his Meditations and the far lesser correspondence he kept up with one of his old instructors, Fronto, it is rather telling and unfortunate that this book only focuses on Aurelius’ fragmentary meditations even though the editors themselves say that the reader would be remiss to miss reading his correspondence as well, a task that would have been much easier had the editors included any of the more important passages from those letters as part of the “essential” writings of a thoughtful Roman emperor, which would have been an easy thing to do.

This slim volume is barely over 100 pages if one includes the glossary and suggestions for further reading, presenting a selection of some of Marcus Aurelius’ thoughts, more of the first few books than the latter ones. The editors begin this book with a discussion of Marcus Aurelius’ life and philosophy in such a way that it tries to present the emperor as not being as anti-Christian as he likely was while also giving a high deal of praise to his stoic philosophy, also more than he probably deserves. The various selections included a fair amount of the first six books or so of Aurelius’ meditations but fewer of the later ones, likely because such materials are far more tied into the personal history of the author and the editors only want to include material that has the timeless sort of quality that they would think that self-help reading audiences are looking for. And it should be noted that this book is far more notable for what it does not contain than what it does contain, in that nothing that is not a part of the Meditations is deemed by the editors as essential writings from Marcus Aurelius, which is likely mistaken.

It is not that this book is bad, because it is not. Truly, Marcus Aurelius is not a bad author and any book that contains his writing or a thoughtful discussion of his writing is going to be at least okay. Nevertheless, in a world where there are a great many books (quite a few of which I have read) that meet this standard, is this book truly essential? No, in fact I can safely say that this book is not even in the top 5 books of and about Marcus Aurelius that I have read in the past month. And I am sure that there are books that I have not read that would be very good as well. Given that kind of competition, this book is like a second-rate compilation of a writer with a very limited body of work, and as ambivalently as I feel about Marcus Aurelius, I think he deserve better than that. Whether or not that is a bad thing, this is the sort of book that only includes obvious high points that some readers (myself included) have read quite a few times already, without the inclusion of anything other than the most obvious material.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've recently been semi-randomly stumbling upon the philosophy of Stoicism, and so decided to check out Marcus Aurelius' Meditations as this collection is more frequently known.

The only reason why I went for this particular translation/edition is because it was the only one available in ebook format from my county's library system on the Overdrive app, and I wanted to try something out on my new Kindle Paperwhite. Sounds like there are plenty of translations to pick from, with this particular version being more modern and edited for clarity than others. So perhaps it is not as "pure" and academic, but for someone curious about Stoicism and only wanting to stick their toe in it was perfect.

The amazing thing about this collection of the emperor's thoughts are that it shows people thousands of years ago struggled with events mentally the same way we do today.

There was one particular passage I found amusing in that the author states some thing along the lines of how on some days it's harder to get out of bed than others, that it would be so nice to stay under the covers all day than to get up and do anything. Yet, he continues, it is our responsibility as human beings to get out of bed to go make the world a better place for other humans. So fortunate we are to be blessed with existence and the ability to go run errands, how silly to waste it being unproductive when some day we shall be dead.

What I find fascinating is that his way of thinking reminds me of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, where people think about and react to their own thoughts in order to live less negative, and more positive fulfilling lives.

"Man, this sucks, I feel awful."
"Are you sure it sucks, self? You are pretty gosh darn lucky, considering the circumstances. You try pretty hard to be a decent human being, too, so you have that going for you."
"Oh yeah, thanks me! "

An awesome self-help book for a collection of thoughts that were never meant to be read by anyone other than Marcus himself.

[sydney s · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not eye opening the way I expected it to be. It was rather plain, and told me things that I feel like I’ve already known to do or not do. I should focus on myself and not be concerned with the affairs of others, bear the burdens that the universe has placed upon me, and strive to be the best person I can. That’s all this book really said truthfully. The beauty in it was how Aurelius expressed himself and how he reached these conclusions as to how to conduct himself in life. He views human nature not as a set of behaviors but as a realm of potential. Any and all problems we have are capable of being solved, otherwise we never could have had them in the first place. The only problems we can’t solve are the ones we don’t see or are aware of. But, to Aurelius, the awareness is the gift that differentiates us from other things. And to act upon that awareness by being a good person regardless of external perception is how we can all be “good” if such a thing even exists.

I really think it’s the ultimate self help book. It’s so simple and obvious but, for some reason, feels so profound. I think it’s because a lot of us are so washed up in the sea of public opinion that there is no idle time to focus on “the soul” in the way that Aurelius argues for. Or those attempts are feeble and performative at best.

I’m not completely sold on stoicism as a whole because I see the potential for it to be misread and purported as hustle culture motivational fodder. But, I see the value in these words and I look forward to leaning on this in my more difficult times.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for all.

Quoting the testimonial on the cover of the book
"Set aside all your contemporary self-help books and read this classic slowly, in pieces, at your leisure. It is beautifully translated, presented, and introduced. It is calming, solid, and useful. A book to keep at hand, ready for emergencies." - Thomas Moore

--
A strange peace has settled over me after reading this book. "oh, so that's living." I thought.

Some of my favorite aphorisms:
(3.4) "Do not waste what remains of your life with anxiety about others, unless you can elevate those thoughts and bring them in relation to some common good."
(12.3) "You are composed of three parts: body, vital spirit, and mind. The first two belong to you only insofar as you are obliged to take care of them, but only the third, mind, is truly yours."
(5.20) "For the mind can convert all that hinders its activity into things which help it"
(5.37) The truly fortunate person has created his own good fortune through good habits of the soul, good intentions, and good actions."
(6.3) "Never allow the true essence and worth of a thing to escape you."
(6.29) "It is disgraceful for the soul to fail in this lifetime, even before the body does."
(9.32) "Many of the superfluous things which trouble you are products of your own judgement, and you have the power to strip them away and be free of them."

[Salamah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard about this title after listening to Jim Mattis discuss how he was influenced by the book on the show Sunday morning. He spoke so well about it that I decided I wanted to read it. It was an interesting read and reminded me of other books like Seat of the Soul and Buddhist principles. Even though the book did not tell me anything I had not read about before, I still appreciated the gentle reminder of how important it is to be human and stay focused on improving ones soul. Aurelius also discusses a lot about death. Since we all at some point will die, he encourages us to not be preoccupied with the negatives of this life but to strive for living in the moment and being the best person you can be in the present. My next step is to do a little research abut this man to learn more about the author. Here are some of my favorite quotes
When you have done a good act and another has fared well by it, why seek a third reward besides these, as fools do, be it the reputation for having done a good act or getting something in return?

The noblest way of taking revenge on others is by refusing to become like them.

Do what you will. Even if you tear yourself apart, they will continue doing the same things.

[T. Laane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good copy - bringing light to his origins in the introduction - why he is like that, and about the age he lived in. And all in all, the authors chose to leave out complicated things that would have to have a lot of commentaries - so You get a nice simple version of the book.
I liked one of the first sentences - that while most people argue about a lot of philosophers and books about them - this is an example, where almost everyone seems to quietly agree with it.
Oh, and I was a bit surprised to find out that “learning” philosophy on ancient time was not theory, but on the contrary - one had to LIVE the way, the school of philosophy they chose. Not learning, but living it! Practice, day by day.
And some random notes I wrote down:
* People do not do wrong intentionally.
* With honor, he was proud of treating people good that had treated him badly.
* Take things when they are offered, but do not grab. When it’s time to let go, don’t grab.
* Why do the human kind seek respect from people, who don’t even respect themselves?
* Unjust acts are not only the ones that are done - but also some deeds left undone are unjust acts.

[Bruce Reiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus Aurelius (among others), is quoted extensively in both The Sparrow and Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. I decided I had better reread the philosopher-emperor and I happened on this at the local library. The introduction gives a history of the Stoic philosophy and a history of Marcus Aurelius. I think in The Sparrow one gets a little of the life of trials and tribulations of the philosopher in a couple of the characters. It must have been rough to have had all the advantages of being an emperor but never being able to enjoy it. Most of a life spent on the battlefield doing what's right for your empire and dying of plague. Would that we had the occasional pragmatic Stoic in the White House rather than the Carpetbaggers and miscreants we so often get.

Another element I liked with this translation is that if the translators could not adequately decipher the original, they omitted it and told the reader up front that a wrong interpretation is worse than no interpretation at all. I think that that was the most important lesson of all for me.

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

This edition seems well executed in translation, readability, and introductory context. As for the meditations themselves, I remembered them being more thought provoking. There were several ideas that made me stop and think, or that I made note of as worth coming back to. There were a lot of others that weren't so inspiring. Aurelius certainly was an interesting character: truly a philosopher king. His closing thought in book one is both interesting and humorous. "I am also thankful that, once I had an appetite for philosophy, I did not fall into the hands of some so-called wise man, and that I did not waste my time publishing or attempting to solve logic puzzles, or busy myself with observing the sky." Perhaps the central message from Aurelius is that we are all part of the human experience and for such a short time. We need to interact with others and better ourselves, yet the converse is more common.

[Anu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful look at the inner workings of one of the most important figures in Roman history. Since Aurelius never meant for an audience to read this, it is not written in an explanatory or comprehensive manner. Rather we see brief passages that contain some insight or wisdom. The kind of old world wisdom that reminds me of what my grandfather would say. At its heart it is about living with integrity, reason and kindness despite what is going on around you. It is shocking to see such a humble and balanced approach from one of the most powerful men who ever lived, which is what makes this all the more compelling. A must read for anyone in the 21st century or any century!

[Mindy Kannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I need to study this philosophy a lot more to truly understand it. Somethings are pretty straightforward and other things are a little more complex. This book is a good start.My main take away is that things that happen are only as important or upsetting or joyous as we place that value on them. So if you are suffering you have the ability to take the value away from that occurrence and end the suffering.

[Mike Virgl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and fascinating read. I would recommend looking up words in the back of the book for clarification as you encounter them to enhance the experience. To further enhance the experience, when reading keep in mind this book is from 1,800 years ago. The author wrote these writings FOR HIMSELF. A kind of philosophical therapy takes place in these words, and you can almost imagine in your mind a frustrated emperor flipping through readings trying to find answers to real world problems.

[jesse ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my first book of 2024 and what a pleasure it was! marcus aurelius will forever be cemented as the figure who made me fall in love with philosophy and i think i’ll always have a soft spot for his words and his ideals on life and, even more importantly, death.

so, so, SO many of his meditations are valuable for me and i think everyone who has the pleasure of reading them. very glad i started my year with this :)