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Loading... Meditations (1996)by Marcus Aurelius
This book definately left me thinking. It was engaging and a times difficult but overall I think Meditations is a very worthwhile read. (  ) Kelsomar | Apr 5, 2013 |  What an eye opener this was... First off, I didn't realize that Stoicism was considered a philosophical religion. But I now see how that definition fits Marcus Aurelius' belief that mankind should seek to understand (and accept with grace and kindness) the Natural Order of the Universe (gods included). I rather liked his don't-worry-about-what-the-other-guy-is-doing perspective. However, I was less enamored with his assertion that imagination, curiosity and creativity are unnecessary, and perhaps even disruptive characteristics. While reading this work, I was impressed that Marcus Aurelius gave proper attribution to the writings that inspired the meditations that are collected herein. I was also quite surprised at how many of Aurelius' statements seemed to be precursors to some of my favorite quotes, such as [a:William Shakespeare|947|William Shakespeare|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1179017891p2/947.jpg]'s sound-and-fury speech, [a:René Descartes|36556|René Descartes|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1198124305p2/36556.jpg]' I-think-therefore-I-am, and [a:Friedrich Nietzsche|1938|Friedrich Nietzsche|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1291157969p2/1938.jpg]'s that-which-doesn't-kill-me-makes-me-stronger. (And according to the translation notes that make up over half of this book, many other famous authors were equally influenced by this work.) (  ) KatLowe | Apr 3, 2013 | Annoyed that I can't find my edition, but there's only so much I'm willing to do with there are more than 200 editions. :P And no rating because it doesn't really rate on the scale. It is what it is and the free ebook available from GR isn't great...looks like scanning issues. Not unreadable though, unless you despise King James era English, and this is pretty convoluted even for that. Reader beware.  MarieAlt | Mar 31, 2013 | The inner thoughts of a Roman emperor. Profound and for some, inspiring. A mournful, yet strong man, philosopher-king, which we don't see too often anywhere. ( ) HadriantheBlind | Mar 30, 2013 | This review is for the edition published by Penguin in 1964, translated by Maxwell Staniforth. Marcus Aurelius is certainly an interesting read. The private thoughts of a Roman Emperor, occupied with fate, a strictly ordered universe and an ascetic refrain from emotion and indulgence. There is a surprising compassion here for less "enlightened" men, which can be read as condescending, except that these were private thoughts, not meant for publication, which makes me think he was just reminding himself to be patient with others. Some things that struck me were his repeated comments on the fleetingness of life and the pointlessness of fame, and how nothing that happens is either good or evil, but part of a natural order (or plan.) While I can't say that I personally agree with his philosophy (I'm not a believer in fate, or this sort of divorce from emotion) but I greatly enjoyed the beauty of the language and the phrases I came across (how much of that is the translator, Staniforth? I don't know.) Some quotes that I particularly liked or found interesting: "For the passing minute is every man's equal possession, but what has gone by is not ours." (p.50) "Recall the dilemma, 'if not a wise Providence, then a mere jumble of atoms,' and consider the profusion of evidence that this world is as it were a city." (p.64) "Submit yourself to Clotho with a good grace, and let her spin your thread out of what material she will." (p.72) ". . . the soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts." (p. 84) " . . . whatsoever lies outside the bounds of this poor flesh and breath is none of yours, nor in your power." (p. 89) "No matter whether the universe is a confusion of atoms or a natural growth, let my first conviction be that I am part of a Whole which is under Nature's governance; and my second, that a bond of kinship exists between myself and all other similar parts." (p.152) "There is a doom inexorable and a law inviolable, or there is a providence that can be merciful, or else there is a chaos that is purposeless and ungoverned. If a resistless fate, why try to struggle against it? If a providence willing to show mercy, do your best to deserve its divine succour. If chaos undirected, give thanks that amid such stormy seas you have within you a mind at the helm. If the waters overwhelm you, let them overwhelm flesh, breath, and all else, but they will never make shipwreck of the mind." (p.182) (  )1  catfantastic | Dec 18, 2012 | no reviews | add a review
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(retrieved from Amazon Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:54:21 -0400)
"Written in Greek by an intellectual Roman emperor without any intention of publication, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) offer a wide range of fascinating spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the leader struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Spanning from doubt and despair to conviction and exultation, they cover such diverse topics as the question of virtue, human rationality, the nature of the gods and Aurelius's own emotions. But while the Meditations were composed to provide personal consolation, in developing his beliefs Marcus also created one of the greatest of all works of philosophy: a series of wise and practical aphorisms that have been consulted and admired by statesmen, thinkers and ordinary readers for almost two thousand years." -- Publisher's website.… (more)
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Three editions of this book were published by Audible.com.
Penguin AustraliaThree editions of this book were published by Penguin Australia.
Editions: 0140449337, 0141018828, 0143566326
Liberty Fund, IncTwo editions of this book were published by Liberty Fund, Inc.
Editions: 0865975116, 0865975108
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