Meditations

Leaders should develop a philosophy of life—a north star that will guide them through difficult times. This timeless classic by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius provides a combination of wisdom and practical advice that serves as a reference both for those in a leadership position and for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of their daily lives. Here is a sample: “The longest-lived and those who will die soonest lose the same thing. The present is all that they can give up, since that is all you have, and what you do not have, you cannot lose.”

Marcus Aurelius, the last of Gibbon’s “five good emperors,” wrote his Meditations near the end of his life while encamped by the Danube, defending against invaders from the north. It is believed that his journal, entitled “To Myself,” was never meant for publication. It wasn’t discovered by scholars until the fourth century. But, as distant heirs, we are fortunate that the parchment managed to survive the empire’s disintegration and the heedlessness of time. It provides a wonderful distillation of Stoic wisdom. It is personal and practical in a way that makes it a useful guide to life. The intimate style… show more.