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. Forgive yourself and others. Holding on to anger and resentment will only hurt you in the long run. Forgive yourself and others so that you can move on with your life. 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." Marcus Aurelius used philosophy as we used religion — as a way of constructing a worldview and of ethics and a proper way of living. Of all the different philosophies, Marcus Aurelius most heavily ascribed to Stoicism. "Stoicism has even been described, not altogether unfairly, as the real religion of upper-class Romans," Hays writes in the Introduction. Stoicism not only is concerned with how to live one's life, but also how to view the world. "Roman stoicism, by contract, was a practical discipline—not an abstract system of thought, but an attitude of life."

Meditations: A New Translation - Gregory Hays, Marcus Meditations: A New Translation - Gregory Hays, Marcus

Nearly two thousand years after it was written, Meditations remains profoundly relevant for anyone seeking to lead a meaningful life. These writings after all, were never meant to be published. So Marcus bounces around from topic to topic at random. Many of the writings are repetitive in theme and context. In Gregory Hays’s new translation—the first in thirty-five years—Marcus’s thoughts speak with a new immediacy. In fresh and unencumbered English, Hays vividly conveys the spareness and compression of the original Greek text. Never before have Marcus’s insights been so directly and powerfully presented. On one hand, it’s amazing to see the inner thoughts of an historical figure. Seeing these thoughts humanizes him. You see the struggles he encounters and they are not so different than what we struggle with today. Additionally, a few of the meditations really spoke to me. I will likely reread in the future and dive deeper into these thoughts. Life happens" is a very stoic modern phrase, and I think it sums it up fairly well. Of course there's more to Stoicism, but a constant theme throughout Meditations is the need to not push against the flow of life; to accept what "Nature" has done. Your car breaks down? Well, getting upset about it is causing you unnecessary suffering and grief. Accept what life has thrown at you and move on with it. Alexander Pope said, "whatever is, is right."This is the only translation of Aurelius that I have read. It was clear with a helpful glossary of people in the Appendix. I will probably read this again in the future. I have been a member for the last 6 years and this is my first review of all the books I have read. What surprised me so much about the personal diary of an ancient Roman emperor written nearly two thousand years ago is that I understood what Marcus Aurelius felt. I, too, have an inner battle every morning to get out of my warm bed. I, too, deal with the stress of life and I have to ask myself, “What is in my control and what isn’t?” I never in a million years would believe that I have something in common with the most powerful person who lived two thousand years ago. Now, going forward, the words of Marcus Aurelius will be forever in my mind, guiding me and showing me that there is a better path. 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.) I feel guilty about giving such an iconic work 3/5 stars but let's be honest...there is a lot in here that is only valuable if you are studying Roman emperors or a historian looking for tidbits on Roman society and beliefs. Furthermore, a lot only made sense to Marcus Aurelius since this work is more of a journal where he seems to have sometimes written down random thoughts and "ah-ha"s.

Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library (Hardcover Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library (Hardcover

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (a.d. 121–180) succeeded his adoptive father as emperor of Rome in a.d. 161—and Meditations remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. With a profound understanding of human behavior, Marcus provides insights, wisdom, and practical guidance on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity to interacting with others. Consequently, the Meditations have become required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style. In Gregory Hays’s new translation—the first in a generation—Marcus’s thoughts speak with a new immediacy: never before have they been so directly and powerfully presented.

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I found many of his ideas more common sense than something divine. But his analogies and clarity set him apart. A difficult aspect of the book is that it's made up of scraps of Aurelius's personal accounts - hence the translations also reflect an incompleteness. But that doesn't take away the value of the book. I can see myself revisiting this consistently to continue to gain more and more knowledge and information about the stoic way of life for many years to come. An must read for anyone looking to improve and live their best life. Ryan Holiday has convinced me that this is one of those books from which we can all learn. And now I wholeheartedly agree. And am grateful to him. Ten key learnings (that i love - of many) i found on www: I am a huge fan of A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine. It not only made me realize that I have already been living the Stoic philosophy in many ways, but encouraged me to dig further into Stoic readings and go straight to the source. He - like many of us - understands the nature of the world. We've read Ecclesiastes - Vanity of vanities: all is vanity. ...What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after."

Meditations: A New Translation: Aurelius, Marcus, Hays

Marcus Aurelius isn't being prescriptive here. He's not even asking us to look internally to ourselves to become better people, or deal with grief or suffering or anger. He's asking himself to look internally. Stop whatever you’re doing for a moment and ask yourself: Am I afraid of death because I won’t be able to do this anymore? Meditations by Marcus AureliusLive a simple life. Don't be materialistic. Focus on the things that are truly important in life, such as your relationships, your health, and your happiness.