Meditations: Modern English Edition

by Marcus Aurelius, Brandon Hulet (translator)

This edition has been rewritten to be easier to read than the original translation. You will enjoy this version if you tried to read the original and found it too much like reading a King James Bible. Great effort was put into making this version pleasing to read while maintaining the essence of the original.

As an added bonus we included a link at the end of the book where you can find the audiobook for FREE.

Discover Timeless Wisdom with Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations"
Unlock the profound insights of one of history's greatest philosophers with Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Written by the Roman Emperor during the height of his reign, this remarkable book offers a unique window into the mind of a leader grappling with the complexities of life, duty, and personal growth.

Meditations is not just a philosophical treatise; it's a deeply personal journal where Aurelius reflects on his principles, struggles, and aspirations. His thoughts on resilience, mindfulness, and the pursuit of virtue resonate as powerfully today as they did nearly two millennia ago.

Whether you seek guidance on how to navigate challenges with grace, cultivate inner peace, or lead with integrity, Meditations provides timeless advice that transcends cultural and historical boundaries. It’s a must-read for anyone striving to live a more thoughtful and meaningful life.

Join the ranks of millions who have found inspiration in Aurelius' wisdom. Let his reflections guide you towards a life of greater purpose and tranquility. Invest in Meditations today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal excellence. Experience the enduring legacy of Marcus Aurelius, and let his wisdom transform your perspective.

116 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2024

About the author

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (often referred to as "the wise") was Emperor of the Roman Empire from 161 to his death in 180. He was the last of the "Five Good Emperors", and is also considered one of the more important Stoic philosophers. His two decades as emperor were marked by near continual warfare. He was faced with a series of invasions from German tribes, and by conflicts with the Parthian Empire in the east. His reign also had to deal with an internal revolt in the east, led by Avidius Cassius.

Marcus Aurelius' work Meditations, written in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180, is still revered as a literary monument to a government of service and duty and has been praised for its "exquisite accent and its infinite tenderness."

Reviews

[Jess Sorenson]

I'm an ass for rating it this low, but it's basically tweets

[Nayeli]

I’m giving this particular translation 3 stars because it makes the ideas way more understandable and readable than others (I found it for free in Apple Books). Marcus Aurelius’ reflections are valuable, but reading his diary is not the only way to get into stoicism, and certainly shouldn’t be anyone’s first approach to it in my opinion. It gets repetitive and could be a bit confusing… and honestly, tedious.

If anyone reads this review I hope they look into other more modern literature on the topic. There are books by William Irvine and Ryan Holiday that are way more approachable, and in the end what matters is that you understand it and then actually practice it.

[Tejas Kulkarni]

Meditations by Marcus Aurellius – book review
You exercise every day to keep your body fit. But what is the exercise that keeps your mind focused,
strong, and free from distraction? The answer is Meditations by Marcus Aurelius — a book you should
return to every time you feel confused, tired, lazy, or overwhelmed.
Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 CE — the most powerful man in the world at that
time. Yet every night he sat alone and wrote private notes to himself — reminders on how to be humble,
patient, empathetic, and strong in the face of whatever he was dealing with. He never intended these
writings to be published — yet 2000 years later we are still reading them.
I have a habit of highlighting important sentences and quotes while reading — to help me write my
reviews later. But Meditations is the first book in my life where I found everything important. Every single
word feels written with purpose. I could not stop highlighting because there was nothing worth skipping.
This is not just another philosophy book. It is a manual for decluttering your mind from all distractions
— internal and external. The book has twelve chapters but the core philosophy running through every
single page is simple and powerful — keep your mind undisturbed by outward or uncontrollable events.
Do your work unaffected by criticism. Do your work unaffected by praise. Simply do what is right and
move forward.
The Core Teachings
Marcus Aurelius teaches us that we could leave this life at any moment — and that awareness should
shape everything we do and everything we think.
Some teachings that stayed with me deeply:
• One of the mind's greatest abilities is to strip things down and see them clearly — without
emotion, without bias
• No one loses anything except the present moment — so guard it carefully
• Life moves in cycles — what we think shapes what we experience
• Even the smallest action should have a clear aim
• Even imperfections in nature carry their own beauty
• Let your thoughts be clean and direct — not decorated for show
• Do not speak in excess. Do what matters.
Why this book matters today
In today's busy and competitive world stress has become part of everyday life. Meditations offers clear
and practical guidance on how to keep the mind focused, calm, and steady. Marcus Aurelius reminds
us that much of our suffering comes from worrying about what others are doing, saying, or thinking
about us. Instead we should focus only on our own actions — and make them just, clear, and
purposeful. He also gives us one of the most liberating ideas I have ever read — anything that can
happen equally to a good person and a bad person is neither good nor bad in itself. It is simply part of
life. Accept it. Move forward. And when difficult people or difficult situations try to disturb your peace
— remember his most powerful image: Be like a rock against which waves crash again and again — yet
it remains steady and the force around it settles. If your nature remains intact — nothing essential has
been taken from you.
I invite you to join this gym — not to build your body but to build your mind. Strong. Focused.
Undistracted. And as Marcus himself wrote — "Do what is right and move on. Let your actions speak for
themselves and don't pause to admire them."
Wishing all of you great success in your journey ahead

[Fredrik Lind]

På många sätt en intressant bok. Man kan ana att denna bok är skriven av Marcus Aurelius i ett fältläger på slutet av sin regeringstid. Funderingar om döden är närvarande och likaså frågan om hur andra värderar ens handlande. Detta är två saker som är naturligt att fundera över. Aurelius argumenterar för att döden inte är ett problem och han pekar på dygder som rationalitet och att leva enligt naturen. Världen beskrivs väldigt likt hinduismens idé om en världssjäl som alla levande hör ihop med och således med varandra. Allt som finns gör det för att det fyller ett syfte och när man uppfyllt sitt syfte kommer döden. Därmed är döden inget att frukta, inget andras åsikter heller. På samma sätt gör detta är det är eftersträvansvärt att leva i enlighet med det naturliga för det är i enlighet med mitt syfte till skillnad från njutning och nöje. Man kan verkligen se att detta är skrivet av någon som funderar över sin position som kejsare på slutet av sin livsgärning. Frågorna kretsar då naturligen runt ära, vilket arv man efterlämnar samt vad döden för med sig, hur man bör handla och vilken nytta livet ger. Det är en tydlig självreflektion och därmed väldigt intressant. Vi människor är inte så olika varandra över tid och rum. Alla bör läsa denna även om det finns en del man inte kommer hålla med om. Det är ett tidsdokument och en reflektion som sätter tankar i rörelse även om man inte drar samma slutsatser som Aurelius.

[Karen]

Sorry but that’s all this is - the useless drivel from a once-great politician. I sure it meant more during his time, but it suffers greatly when applied to today’s morally reprehensible world. Not to mention it’s another male-translation of extremely old text (and I’m thinking a bad translation). You may ask why I read it at all? Simple curiosity which sounds counter-intuitive to Stoicism in the first place.

[Benji]

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Obviously not a comprehensive narrative, Meditations is composed of short thoughts - perfect for morning readings.
It seems like every time I read “ancient” pieces of literature, I’m blown away by how advanced the thinking and how relevant the material.

[Simon Faisandier]

This translation is pretty poor and incoherent is some sections.

[DallasDoesBooks]

A simplified version which while a good introduction to the text should only be a stepping-stone to other editions.