



Meditations
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3.9 • 463 Ratings
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Publisher Description
Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161–180 CE, setting forth his ideas on Stoic philosophy.
Customer Reviews
the art of resilience
meditations by marcus aurelius is a timeless collection of personal reflections & philosophical wisdom from one of rome’s greatest emperors. written as a private journal, this stoic masterpiece offers profound insights on how to live with integrity, humility, & resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
the beauty of meditations lies in its simplicity & universality. marcus aurelius writes about themes like self-discipline, the fleeting nature of life, & the importance of focusing on what’s within our control. his words are deeply introspective, practical, & inspiring, making this book a guide for both personal growth & navigating the complexities of daily life.
whether you’re seeking a source of calm, clarity, or philosophical reflection, meditations is a must-read. it’s a powerful reminder of the strength that can be found in mindfulness, gratitude, & living according to one’s principles.
Demonstrating the need for a modern translation
It is a fine service that this translation has been made freely available.
For myself, however, I find it an unsatisfactory translation, because the translator insists on using antique phrasings in the style of the King James Bible. Perhaps this was an effort to dignify and honor Aurelius' work, but Aurelius' thoughts need no such assistance, and are harmed by the artificial patina of age applied here, and the air of pontification it creates. Instead, his thoughts require only the clearest possible translation into modern English. That done, they speak for themselves and unpretentiously make their own dignity.
Unwittingly, in my view, this translation deprives Aurelius' thoughts of their natural dignity, forthrightness, and ability to speak directly to the reader across the millennia, by inserting the barrier of a pulpit between Aurelius and his reader.
Victorian translation.
Victorian translation. Accurate, but sounds a bit stilted to a modern ear.