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A review by richardrbecker
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius offers practical guidance for navigating life's complexities in Meditations, and it's surprising how many of his thoughts (and those of his teachers and colleagues) have entered modern culture. There is no question in mind, for example, that Shakespeare read Aurelius and other stoics.
Life lessons like living in the present, minding one's attitude, less is more, and living each day like it is your last are common themes explored by both. Others do this, too, to be sure. I had adopted them to my life as well, long before being exposed to either, likely because we've accepted them as part of our culture. Or, perhaps, they are accessible human truths.
"If the things do not come to thee, the pursuits and avoidances of which disturb thee, still in a manner thou goest to them. Let then thy judgement about them be at rest, and they will remain quiet, and thou wilt not be seen either pursuing or avoiding." Say nothing more to thyself than what the first appearances report, Suppose that it has been reported to thee that a certain person speaks ill of thee.
This has been reported; but that thou hast been injured, that has not been reported.
How often have I tried to teach my children this as I do not want them to be slaves to what others might have done. It's read like common sense, except translated from the text of a Roman emperor who lived between 121-180 AD. What I love most about knowing this is how it demonstrates that thoughts and ideas can transcend time and space.
"Say nothing more to thyself than what the first appearances report, Suppose that it has been reported to thee that a certain person speaks ill of thee. This has been reported, but that thou hast been injured, that has not been reported."
I almost gave the book four stars because not every passage is as accessible as those examples, and the organization isn't there. Meditations are literally like reading journal entries. But eventually, I decided this is not a one-time read and, therefore, deserves more than four. Readers should know this going into Meditations. While reading it is fine, studying it produces infinitely more ideas and takeaways. And at some point, I intend to do exactly that.
Life lessons like living in the present, minding one's attitude, less is more, and living each day like it is your last are common themes explored by both. Others do this, too, to be sure. I had adopted them to my life as well, long before being exposed to either, likely because we've accepted them as part of our culture. Or, perhaps, they are accessible human truths.
"If the things do not come to thee, the pursuits and avoidances of which disturb thee, still in a manner thou goest to them. Let then thy judgement about them be at rest, and they will remain quiet, and thou wilt not be seen either pursuing or avoiding." Say nothing more to thyself than what the first appearances report, Suppose that it has been reported to thee that a certain person speaks ill of thee.
This has been reported; but that thou hast been injured, that has not been reported.
How often have I tried to teach my children this as I do not want them to be slaves to what others might have done. It's read like common sense, except translated from the text of a Roman emperor who lived between 121-180 AD. What I love most about knowing this is how it demonstrates that thoughts and ideas can transcend time and space.
"Say nothing more to thyself than what the first appearances report, Suppose that it has been reported to thee that a certain person speaks ill of thee. This has been reported, but that thou hast been injured, that has not been reported."
I almost gave the book four stars because not every passage is as accessible as those examples, and the organization isn't there. Meditations are literally like reading journal entries. But eventually, I decided this is not a one-time read and, therefore, deserves more than four. Readers should know this going into Meditations. While reading it is fine, studying it produces infinitely more ideas and takeaways. And at some point, I intend to do exactly that.