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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
A great classic. A bit too "I don't care"-sy for me, but I wouldn't expect anything else from a Stoic such as Aurelius.
Gregory Hays wrote an excellent introduction that helps make the collection of thoughts of Marcus Aurelius so much more accessible. I find such introductions often get bogged down by superfluous details or are too superficial to benefit the reader. Hays manages to walk the tightrope and deliver a usual framework to kick-start your thinking.
It is clear the text was never meant to be read as one coherent whole, to even be published at all. It reads more like a collection of notes or even personal reminders and are sometimes rather disconnected or too short to make much sense. Still, there are recurring themes which are explained so clear-sighted, it explains why the text is so widely read. Indeed, Marcus Aurelius drives his points convincingly home, if only through repetition.
We all should follow our nature and do the right thing. No one can take that choice away from you, even if it would lead to pain for you. Accept what you can't influence and just live with it, including annoying or bad people around you, and stick to your principles.
The book does not exude optimism, and that is putting it mildly, but does help put things in perspective. Your life is short, as even if it might be a long one, it is still just a blink in the eye of time. So don't get overly attached and accept that all matters are relative, it all will pass and we will all fade into nothingness. Even emperors.
It is clear the text was never meant to be read as one coherent whole, to even be published at all. It reads more like a collection of notes or even personal reminders and are sometimes rather disconnected or too short to make much sense. Still, there are recurring themes which are explained so clear-sighted, it explains why the text is so widely read. Indeed, Marcus Aurelius drives his points convincingly home, if only through repetition.
We all should follow our nature and do the right thing. No one can take that choice away from you, even if it would lead to pain for you. Accept what you can't influence and just live with it, including annoying or bad people around you, and stick to your principles.
The book does not exude optimism, and that is putting it mildly, but does help put things in perspective. Your life is short, as even if it might be a long one, it is still just a blink in the eye of time. So don't get overly attached and accept that all matters are relative, it all will pass and we will all fade into nothingness. Even emperors.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I listened to this book on audio, but it is the type of book that I ought to reread in print.
Update- I read it in print this time, definitely will be reading it again.
Update- I read it in print this time, definitely will be reading it again.
It is not worth writing a quote, as every line would suffice on an inspirational poster.
There was one, which I cannot remember or find for the life of me, which stated something along the lines of ‘master the inner divine in you’, which I feel is a microcosm of the overarching ideas present.
There is a lot of repetition of these philosophies, which of course is indicative of what Aurelius gave most importance to. One day I’ll come back to this and read the notes and contexts to each, so I can understand fully the stoic ideal, as this absolutely deserves much more of my attention.
There was one, which I cannot remember or find for the life of me, which stated something along the lines of ‘master the inner divine in you’, which I feel is a microcosm of the overarching ideas present.
There is a lot of repetition of these philosophies, which of course is indicative of what Aurelius gave most importance to. One day I’ll come back to this and read the notes and contexts to each, so I can understand fully the stoic ideal, as this absolutely deserves much more of my attention.
Not a rounded and complete philosophy; but a very useful one to shift to and give a person perspective on events.
fast-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
changed my life!