The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus: A new rendering based on the Foulis translation of 1742

Written in the margins of war and addressed to no one but himself, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius remains one of the most intimate works of philosophy ever set down. Here is the complete, unabridged original text—all twelve books—of the Roman emperor's private notebook: his reminders to act justly, accept what he cannot control, meet death without dread, and hold to reason when the world tilts toward chaos. This edition presents the full rendering based on the 1742 Foulis translation, prefaced by a new introduction that situates Marcus's life and Stoic thought for today's reader, along with reader's notes illuminating names, references, and recurring themes. Whether you come to these pages for solace, discipline, or simple curiosity, they offer the rare companionship of a ruler who practiced, line by line, the art of governing himself. Part of The Founding Texts Library.