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Meditations

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( 283,558 ratings, 16,282 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a series of personal writings by the Roman emperor, reflecting on his Stoic philosophy. The book offers insights on how to lead a virtuous life, deal with adversity, and maintain inner peace regardless of external circumstances. It serves as a guide for self-improvement and resilience.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are interested in timeless wisdom and personal growth. It offers practical advice on dealing with adversity, seeking inner peace, and understanding the nature of life from a Stoic perspective.

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Meditations

A series of reflections, strongly influenced by Epictetus, which represent a Stoic outlook on life. It offers a range of fascinating spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the leader struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a profound journey into the mind of one of the most revered Roman Emperors. This introspective collection, written in Greek, was never intended for publication and serves as a private journal where Aurelius explores the depths of his philosophical reflections. As a ruler of a vast empire, he faced immense challenges and responsibilities, and these notebooks encapsulate his thoughts on managing personal emotions, understanding human nature, and coping with the hardships of his role.

The text spans a variety of themes, capturing the emperor's musings on virtue, governance, and the human condition. Through succinct and poignant entries, Aurelius investigates the essence of rationality, the wisdom of the gods, and the fluctuations of his own emotional landscape. His reflections transition from moments of doubt and despair to those of conviction and exaltation, offering readers a deeply personal glimpse into his quest for self-improvement and inner peace.

Aurelius's meditations are more than just a personal solace; they are a compendium of practical wisdom and ethical guidance. Each entry, rich in clarity and insight, presents a roadmap for achieving a balanced and disciplined life. By emphasising virtues like humility, responsibility, and perseverance, he crafted a legacy that transcends time, inspiring statesmen, philosophers, and everyday individuals across millennia.

For nearly two thousand years, Meditations has been lauded as one of the greatest works of philosophy. Its influence is evident in the admiration it garners from readers who seek wisdom in the practice of Stoic philosophy. The new translation preserves the integrity and depth of the original writings, making the emperor's timeless liberating thoughts accessible to the modern audience.

Engage with the raw and authentic reflections of Marcus Aurelius in Meditations, a timeless masterpiece that continues to offer comfort, strength, and guidance through the universal exploration of human experience, self-awareness, and ethical living.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Martin Hammond's translation of Meditations is praised for its natural, direct, and eloquent English. It offers effective notes, a thorough index, and a useful introduction by Diskin Clay. Reviewers commend the pithy and illuminating nature of the translation and supporting material, highlighting it as an excellent volume.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140449334

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 April 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Martin Hammond
  • Introduction by Diskin Clay

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 224g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Marcus Aelius Aurelius Antoninus, 121-180. was adopted by the emperor Antoninus Pius and succeeded him in 161, (as joint emperor with adoptive brother Lucius Verus). He ruled alone from 169. He spent much of his reign in putting down variou rebellions, and was a persecutor of Christians. His fame rest, above all, on his Meditations, a series of reflections, strongly influenced by Epictetus, which represent a Stoic outlook on life. He died in 180 and was succeed by his natural son, thus ending the period of the adoptive emperors. Diskin Clay is Professor of Classical Studies at Duke University and has published widely in the area of Ancient Greek Philosophy. Martin Hammond is Head Master of Tonbridge School and has translated Homer's Iliad for Penguin Classics.

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