Meditations
'Meditations' Summary
The Meditations is divided into 12 books that chronicle different periods of Aurelius' life. Each book is not in chronological order and it was written for no one but himself. The style of writing that permeates the text is one that is simplified, straightforward, and perhaps reflecting Aurelius' Stoic perspective on the text. Depending on the English translation, Marcus' style is not viewed as anything regal or belonging to royalty, but rather a man among other men, which allows the reader to relate to his wisdom.
A central theme to Meditations is the importance of analyzing one's judgment of self and others and developing a cosmic perspective:
You have the power to strip away many superfluous troubles located wholly in your judgment, and to possess a large room for yourself embracing in thought the whole cosmos, to consider everlasting time, to think of the rapid change in the parts of each thing, of how short it is from birth until dissolution, and how the void before birth and that after dissolution are equally infinite.
Aurelius advocates finding one's place in the universe and sees that everything came from nature, and so everything shall return to it in due time. Another strong theme is of maintaining focus and to be without distraction all the while maintaining strong ethical principles such as "Being a good man."
His Stoic ideas often involve avoiding indulgence in sensory affections, a skill which will free a man from the pains and pleasures of the material world. He claims that the only way a man can be harmed by others is to allow his reaction to overpower him. An order or logos permeates existence. Rationality and clear-mindedness allow one to live in harmony with the logos. This allows one to rise above faulty perceptions of "good" and "bad"—things out of your control like fame and health are (unlike things in your control) irrelevant and neither good nor bad.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
Koine GreekPublished In
Author
Marcus Aurelius
Roman Empire
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors (a term coined some 13 centuries later by Niccol&ogra...
More on Marcus AureliusDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
The Ethics of Belief by William Clifford
This is an essay on decision biases and a critique on prejudices, neatly written and thought provoking.
Notes on Life and Letters by Joseph Conrad
Embark on an intellectual odyssey through the corridors of thought with "Notes on Life and Letters" by Joseph Conrad. Delve into the enigmatic mind of...
Home Education Series Vol. I: Home Education by Charlotte Mason
Step into a world where education transcends the ordinary and becomes a profound journey of discovery. In "Home Education Series Vol. I: Home Educatio...
The Art of Controversy ,The Art of Being Right by Arthur Schopenhauer
The Art of Controversy and The Art of Being Right are two essays written by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. The Art of Controversy deals w...
The Spinster Book by Olive Green, Myrtle Reed
A cross between guidebook and social commentary, The Spinster Book gives clever and humorous insights on topics such as courting, handling men and wom...
The Kama Sutra by Mallanaga Vatsyayana
The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism and emotional fulfilment in life. Attributed to Vātsyāyana, the Kama Sutra...
A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law
This is one of the greatest devotional books of the Christian faith, inspiring thousands to a closer walk with their Lord. John Wesley was a close ass...
Above Life's Turmoil by James Allen
Combining elements of Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism with concepts dealing with self-discipline, motivation and the power of positive thinking, J...
A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis by Melvin Powers
Published in 1961, A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis by Melvin Powers is a self help book that aims to bring the basic techniques of hypnosis to the...
How to Tell Stories to Children by Sara Cone Bryant
Sarah Cone Bryant was an educator and storyteller who wrote several books on the importance of oral storytelling to children, and stories to tell chil...
Reviews for Meditations
No reviews posted or approved, yet...