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A review by wouterk
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
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.