Meditations

By Marcus Aurelius, Martin Hammond (translator),

Book cover of Meditations

Book description

'Their icy blasts are refreshing and restorative. They tell you the worst. And having heard the worst, you feel less bad' Blake Morrison

Written in Greek by the only Roman emperor who was also a philosopher, without any intention of publication, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius offer a remarkable series…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Meditations as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

While riding on the New York subway one day, the young woman sitting next to me was reading from the so-called “Little Black Book” (a collection of daily thoughts often read by members of Alcoholics Anonymous). After closing the book, she pulled out this very edition of Marcus Aurelius and I could not help but comment to her that she had made a great choice. Not only does the theme of the “Serenity Prayer” go back to Stoics, but Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations (literally titled “To Himself”) show the thoughtful and meditative side of Stoicism. In addition, Marcus Aurelius seems to…

This is one of the most important books on Stoicism out there. Marcus Aurelius was the Roman Emperor from 161 AD to 180 AD and used Stoic philosophy to help him face many challenges and guide his decisions. It’s a quick read, packed with timeless wisdom.

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