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21 reviews for:
The Emperor's Handbook: A New Translation of The Meditations
Marcus Aurelius, David V. Hicks, C. Scot Hicks, David Hicks
4.22 AVERAGE
21 reviews for:
The Emperor's Handbook: A New Translation of The Meditations
Marcus Aurelius, David V. Hicks, C. Scot Hicks, David Hicks
4.22 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Marcus Aurelius doesn't come off as a particularly happy individual in this book, which is just [b:Meditations|30659|Meditations|Marcus Aurelius|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168080018s/30659.jpg|31010] repackaged. However, happiness isn't the most important thing, at least to the Stoic emperor. The main thrusts are to live within oneself, keeping the mind pure by keeping it in line with natural law. Some other themes he returns to are: dying (It doesn't matter, since it will happen to everyone. It is natural and unites all living creatures), humility (Everything dies, everything is around for such a short time, so be humble, you're a flash in the pan), and respecting one's own opinions over the opinions of others. The view of the present being everything, while past and future are unchangeable or unknowable, so they shouldn't have an impact on how one lives life.
It is most interesting how the work seems to reflect the issues the emperor was struggling with day to day, fighting inconclusive battles with Dacians on the frontier near the Danube. Certain passages seem to show his frustration with other Roman officials and members of the court. The meditations seem a way for Marcus Aurelius to think out what his course of action should have been or should be, and a way to collect himself for his numerous duties in the military and government.
It is most interesting how the work seems to reflect the issues the emperor was struggling with day to day, fighting inconclusive battles with Dacians on the frontier near the Danube. Certain passages seem to show his frustration with other Roman officials and members of the court. The meditations seem a way for Marcus Aurelius to think out what his course of action should have been or should be, and a way to collect himself for his numerous duties in the military and government.
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
I really enjoyed the translation
reflective
medium-paced
Extremely reflective and amazing. Very much a stream on consciousness that was never meant to be published.
As someone who has struggled with mental health over the years, this book was very inspiring to read. The translation was simple, and easy to digest and follow. If Marcus struggled with all he did throughout his life, surely I can overcome my own obstacles and forge my own path.
I can see myself returning to this book in the near future.
As someone who has struggled with mental health over the years, this book was very inspiring to read. The translation was simple, and easy to digest and follow. If Marcus struggled with all he did throughout his life, surely I can overcome my own obstacles and forge my own path.
I can see myself returning to this book in the near future.
This is Marcus Aurelius' Meditations translated into modern language. (I had previously attempted to read a version of the Meditations that was more faithful to the original language, but I found this much easier to comprehend.) The book is a private diary of sorts that was never meant to be published, mostly written while away from home and at war. In the final chapters, it seems clear that the author knew he would likely die soon.
I had always wanted to read this book, and I finally got around to it this year as part of my reading list associated with a recent trip to Italy. It did not disappoint.
One of the things that struck me is how much Marcus Aurelius' stoic philosophy was similar to Buddhist thought, at least as I understand it. Some recurring themes include the following: (1) by controlling our thoughts, we largely control our experience of the world--i.e., in many ways, internal control can overcome or at least mitigate bad external circumstances; (2) change is the only constant--i.e., don't get too attached to the good or upset by the bad because nothing lasts; (3) trying to build any sort of legacy is useless given how insignificant each of us is in the grand scheme of things (even the great ancient philosophers and emperors like the author); and (4) our obsession with and fear of death is absurd--we are not the least bit upset by missing out on all of the world's history that happened before we came into existence, and we should likewise not worry too much about all the history that will come after us.
In sum, this is one of the "classics" that just about every should read.
I had always wanted to read this book, and I finally got around to it this year as part of my reading list associated with a recent trip to Italy. It did not disappoint.
One of the things that struck me is how much Marcus Aurelius' stoic philosophy was similar to Buddhist thought, at least as I understand it. Some recurring themes include the following: (1) by controlling our thoughts, we largely control our experience of the world--i.e., in many ways, internal control can overcome or at least mitigate bad external circumstances; (2) change is the only constant--i.e., don't get too attached to the good or upset by the bad because nothing lasts; (3) trying to build any sort of legacy is useless given how insignificant each of us is in the grand scheme of things (even the great ancient philosophers and emperors like the author); and (4) our obsession with and fear of death is absurd--we are not the least bit upset by missing out on all of the world's history that happened before we came into existence, and we should likewise not worry too much about all the history that will come after us.
In sum, this is one of the "classics" that just about every should read.
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Ecclesiastes is easily my favorite wisdom book in the Bible. It may even be my favorite book in the Bible in general. So this book really hit home for me because it nearly parallels Ecclesiastes to a T (or should it be to a ||?).
This is by far one of my favorite books I've ever read. The easiest 5 stars I've ever given.
This is by far one of my favorite books I've ever read. The easiest 5 stars I've ever given.
I read and re-read this book continually. It has a permanent place on my nightstand.
reflective
medium-paced
reflective
medium-paced