Scan barcode
bluefox91's review against another edition
5.0
Second read - The Gregory Hayes edition is fantastic! A must read for anyone interested in stoicism.
wouterk's review
4.0
Many people with more knowledge about the historical context and culture of the time have described what these Meditations by Marcus Aurelius are. What I'd like to convey here is what the book meant to me and what I think it might gift to readers.
Marcus Aurelius is very stoic, aimed at using logic, modesty and frugality to lead a good life with little suffering. Throughout the 12 books in his meditations Marcus reiterates again and again the importance of many different qualities that can help you navigate life in a balanced way in which things outside of your control do not unnecessarily hurt you. Some argue that this is an expression of his struggle to adhere to these principles, others will tell you it is an exercise. To me as a reader it is an extremely helpful reminder to embrace many of these values. If Marcus Aurelius did struggle, I personally can relate to that and find a companion on the road. If he is more advocating and reminding himself as a teacher, I find a teacher on the road.
Many of the lessons in meditations are quite obvious, but hard to live by at all times. And honestly, with some I simply disagree. My most pronounced disagreement is on what is being said about reading a wide variety of books and other arts such as music or theater. I do think that reading and the arts are an extremely useful pass time. While acknowledging it is in a sense an indulgence and a form of entertainment, I think it also develops you as an individual cognitively and socio-emotionally. This goes for all the arts as far as I'm concerned.
I found the notes and introduction in this version (Penguin Classics) helpful in further understanding the historical context of the meditations and how some of the text can be interpreted. I did have some trouble with the tone of the introduction, but that may be a me thing. Generally I dislike any deification of a historical figure or artist just because of how their work is positively viewed at this point in time. I feel the professor writing the introduction to this book too reverent and lyrical about Marcus Aurelius as a person or even the brilliance of the work. I got a bit too much of a fan boy vibe.
To me (with all the limitations in my knowledge of the person and the work) the meditations are just the reflections of a man, who is emperor but also tries to be the best version of himself as a human being. The exercises he does are still relevant today. Reading and re-reading them can help in practicing a mindset that helps navigate life.
Marcus Aurelius is very stoic, aimed at using logic, modesty and frugality to lead a good life with little suffering. Throughout the 12 books in his meditations Marcus reiterates again and again the importance of many different qualities that can help you navigate life in a balanced way in which things outside of your control do not unnecessarily hurt you. Some argue that this is an expression of his struggle to adhere to these principles, others will tell you it is an exercise. To me as a reader it is an extremely helpful reminder to embrace many of these values. If Marcus Aurelius did struggle, I personally can relate to that and find a companion on the road. If he is more advocating and reminding himself as a teacher, I find a teacher on the road.
Many of the lessons in meditations are quite obvious, but hard to live by at all times. And honestly, with some I simply disagree. My most pronounced disagreement is on what is being said about reading a wide variety of books and other arts such as music or theater. I do think that reading and the arts are an extremely useful pass time. While acknowledging it is in a sense an indulgence and a form of entertainment, I think it also develops you as an individual cognitively and socio-emotionally. This goes for all the arts as far as I'm concerned.
I found the notes and introduction in this version (Penguin Classics) helpful in further understanding the historical context of the meditations and how some of the text can be interpreted. I did have some trouble with the tone of the introduction, but that may be a me thing. Generally I dislike any deification of a historical figure or artist just because of how their work is positively viewed at this point in time. I feel the professor writing the introduction to this book too reverent and lyrical about Marcus Aurelius as a person or even the brilliance of the work. I got a bit too much of a fan boy vibe.
To me (with all the limitations in my knowledge of the person and the work) the meditations are just the reflections of a man, who is emperor but also tries to be the best version of himself as a human being. The exercises he does are still relevant today. Reading and re-reading them can help in practicing a mindset that helps navigate life.
joebuuz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
strategineer's review against another edition
3.0
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (a.d. 121–180) succeeded his adoptive father as emperor of Rome in a.d. 161--and in his Meditations he provides insights, wisdom, and practical guidance on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity to interacting with others. It's surprising how much of his advice has aged well but given his position of supreme power and the changing times (eg. slavery is bad), some of his meditations have not aged so well.
I recently read Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (translated by Gregory Hays) and I quite enjoyed it. Some of his ideas are still relevant today and others haven't aged very well (which is not surprising given how far removed Marcus's experience of life is from our own).
Overall, the text was interesting enough for me to be motivated to make this little toy that shows you one of the "meditations" every time you refresh the page (tip: if you click/tap on a word it'll bring you to another meditation containing that word).
I recently read Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (translated by Gregory Hays) and I quite enjoyed it. Some of his ideas are still relevant today and others haven't aged very well (which is not surprising given how far removed Marcus's experience of life is from our own).
Overall, the text was interesting enough for me to be motivated to make this little toy that shows you one of the "meditations" every time you refresh the page (tip: if you click/tap on a word it'll bring you to another meditation containing that word).
junyan's review
2.0
Quite thought-provoking, but not systematic enough, just like the blog of Marcus Aurelius.