Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library Classics)

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Marcus Aurelius used philosophy as we used religion — as a way of constructing a worldview and of ethics and a proper way of living. Of all the different philosophies, Marcus Aurelius most heavily ascribed to Stoicism. "Stoicism has even been described, not altogether unfairly, as the real religion of upper-class Romans," Hays writes in the Introduction. Stoicism not only is concerned with how to live one's life, but also how to view the world. "Roman stoicism, by contract, was a practical discipline—not an abstract system of thought, but an attitude of life." Live in the present moment. Don't dwell on the past or worry about the future. Focus on the present moment and make the most of it. He read slowly, moving his lips over the words. “Everything is only for a day, both that which remembers and that which is remembered. Live a simple life. Don't be materialistic. Focus on the things that are truly important in life, such as your relationships, your health, and your happiness.

Meditations: A New Translation [EPUB] [4lkf510vrm00] Meditations: A New Translation [EPUB] [4lkf510vrm00]

I began listening to Ryan Holiday and his "Daily Stoic" podcast, and eventually dove into Marcus Aurelius' Meditations on his recommendation. Every once in a while, I'd disagree with him. I think the advice we give ourselves sometimes is just not practical. Like Paul says, "Why do I do the things I don't want to do, and don't do the things I do want to do?" It's easy to say, "nothing can hurt you: it's just perception." Or, "There are no victims - only those who chose to be victims." I think that only works internally. I'm only a victim if I allow myself to be a victim. And maybe - maybe it's true for others as well. And maybe it's always true. But I can think of instances where - if I said that to someone - I'd be a victim because of the beating the community would give me for saying it. (Liz said, "Are you going to say that to a rape victim? That you're not a victim? That you're only a victim if you allow yourself to be?") And I find myself agreeing with her. The same thing with children who are victims.Be true to yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not. Be true to yourself and live your life the way you want to live it. Meditations touches on much of the human condition. And I can respect that Marcus is sometimes trying to talk himself off a ledge. To remind himself to be the leader that he wants to be. No matter what happens, keep this in mind: It's the same old thing, from one end of the world to the other. It fills the history books, ancient and modern, and the cities, and the houses too. Nothing new at all." Today I escaped my anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions – not outside. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Lee lifted the breadbox and took out a tiny volume bound in leather, and the gold tooling was almost completely worn away—The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius in English translation.

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius A New Translation by Gregory

And why is it so hard when things go against you? If it’s imposed by nature, accept it gladly and stop fighting it. And if not, work out what your own nature requires, and aim at that, even if it brings you no glory. Meditations by Marcus AureliusThe main positive for me is that this was actually written by a Roman emperor, which puts the reader in his mind and thoughts. At the same time, the work felt a little dimished by the fact it was written by an emperor, in the sense that it is easy for a person of the most privilege to talk about doing away with desires, or taking things as they come, seeing death as something to not fear, etc. This type of view feels much more genuine from philosophers or personnages who, by their circumstances, endure hardships by living their beliefs or philosophy. As one scholar has observed, “Reading Meditations for long periods can be conducive of melancholy.” And even those who love the book cannot deny that there is something impoverished about the view of human life it presents” Gregory Hays on Meditations This doesn't mean that I agree with nor do I believe everything Aurelius says. Of course, this is the beauty of philosophy—it simply begs you to think. We know. We KNOW. And Marcus Aurelius knew. But we have to give ourselves these little reminders: Don't fear death. It's natural. It has happened before and will happen again. Be slow to anger. Don't let grief consume you. If you don't let grief consume you, it won't. Be kind. You can't control other people. Maybe they don't know better: "But I do."

Meditations - Internet Archive

Few ancient works have been as influential as the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, philosopher and emperor of Rome (A.D. 161–180). A series of spiritual exercises filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. Marcus’s insights and advice—on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others—have made the Meditations required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style. For anyone who struggles to reconcile the demands of leadership with a concern for personal integrity and spiritual well-being, the Meditations remains as relevant now as it was two thousand years ago. He - like many of us - understands the nature of the world. We've read Ecclesiastes - Vanity of vanities: all is vanity. ...What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after." I have been a member for the last 6 years and this is my first review of all the books I have read. What surprised me so much about the personal diary of an ancient Roman emperor written nearly two thousand years ago is that I understood what Marcus Aurelius felt. I, too, have an inner battle every morning to get out of my warm bed. I, too, deal with the stress of life and I have to ask myself, “What is in my control and what isn’t?” I never in a million years would believe that I have something in common with the most powerful person who lived two thousand years ago. This is the only translation of Aurelius that I have read. It was clear with a helpful glossary of people in the Appendix. I will probably read this again in the future. This book was written by Marcus Aurelius reigned as Roman emperor from 161 to 180 CE and is best known as the last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome (following Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius)Thus, I give this a 5 for the historical significance and relevant advice. But I give it a 3 due to aforementioned issues with clarity. We learn more about our bodies, souls, and minds and how to deal with emotions like anger, anxiety, grief, and so on. It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.”

Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library (Hardcover Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library (Hardcover

This document was uploaded by our user. The uploader already confirmed that they had the permission to publishWhen people injure you, ask yourself what good or harm they thought would come of it. If you understand that, you’ll feel sympathy rather than outrage or anger. Your sense of good and evil may be the same as theirs, or near it, in which case you have to excuse them. Or your sense of good and evil may differ from theirs. In which case they’re misguided and deserve your compassion. Is that so hard? Meditations by Marcus Aurelius