Meditations: by Marcus Aurelius (Everyman's Library CLASSICS)

About the book: An insightful series of aphorisms heavily grounded on stoic school of thought. The examples Marcus Aurelius uses to make his case is a delightful portrait of life during the Roman empire. Some statements may sound like prejudice today, but nothing offensive if you appreciate how old it is. About the translation: It is a bit over the top with regards to archaic mannerisms which to me breaks the flow of reading at times. Although I’m not a native speaker I can understand it, but wouldn’t recommend to an early learner of the language.

An excellent copy with preface and notes.

An affordable hardback version of this classic text. Printing is a little patchy in places but good enough.

Like all great philosophers his words ring true through the ages. An enjoyable encounter with the mind of a fellow human being who lived and perished over 2000 years before myself.

I was really surprised by quality of everything.

Life changing. Some may argue or dispute this, let not those judgments affect your own. Make your own judgment after reading it yourself. I cannot say anything else.

It is Tiny. I was expecting no smaller than A5 but it's about the size of the palm of a hand.

Beautiful book, lovely cover and quality. Thought-provoking, meaningful.

I love the book but the cover presented in the picture above is just a piece of paper that is removable and it is not the actual hardback the hardback is just bland brown

A hard read, though it is only 93 pages (the Meditations themselves, excluding introduction and notes). Do not however, concern yourself with the stylistic choices of the translation, though at times it may be confusing or simply bland. You cannot blame the translator for translating the Meditations, and you cannot blame Marcus for writing his journal his way, without ever believing anyone else would read it, for that does not matter. I have no criticism, simply I point out this book is not a light read. If you are apt to reading philosophy, profound books that give you insight into the universe and your place in it, I cannot think of any greater book than the Meditations. Marcus Aurelius has been called Plato's philosopher-king, and though I disagree with this, I see the point: he ruled the Roman Empire near its greatest extent with the virtues of fundamental stoicism. He did not want or consent to Plato's Republic, but he put his duties, his loved ones, and his country before his own interests. He rejected luxury and comfort. He wrote to remind himself to lead by example, that he is the master of himself, that emotions cannot puppeteer him, and that pleasures cannot warp his logic and his will to do good. He reminded himself to always be favorable to all that came by him, even those that disagreed with him and spoke ill of him, for he believed they were brought to the earth to work together. He rejected unreasonable condemnation and unhelpful criticism as well as praise and arrogant pride. He looked to correct, not condemn, the ignorant, and stand agreeable and thankful, not prideful and bashful, when corrected. He praised the universe for her inner-workings, borrowing from Plato's idea that all that is natural must in turn be good, if not for the individual, then for the whole, which then must still be good for the individual regardless. His metaphysics are not scientifically sound, the same for Plato, a large influence, but they do tap into the imagination. He ponders most on death. Death is natural, and all that comes from nature must be good, therefore death is good. He reminds himself to never fear death as he would never fear breathing, or his eyes never fear seeing, or his hands ever fear writing. Death is a product of life, as sight is a product of the eyes, and writing all product of the hands, all natural consequences of being. What is there to fear? Nothing. What is there to be angry about? Nothing. When irritated, whose fault is it? Yours, for allowing exterior happenings you cannot control affect your inner peace. My favorite part of the entire book is when he ponders on inner peace. Many would seek peace retiring to a calm village, a seaside home, or in the mountains far from the busy cities. Marcus argues he who has not inner peace in himself wherever, will never have inner peace whatever. Surroundings matter not, only your attitude. This is the biggest lesson of the Meditations, the greatest wisdom Marcus has to offer: it is your reaction to life, not life itself, that creates happiness. This was the principle Nelson Mandela stuck to when he was imprisoned. This is the principal that is the core of stoicism. "You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." Pick up this book. It would be unfortunate going through life, pondering how to bring yourself happiness, when the secret to happiness was found 2,000 years ago. You do not have to accept all Marcus says, I do not agree with him on all things. But his wisdom is invaluable.

It is a book everyone must have. Very good quality and delivered fast.

This is one life changing book. Set of values to live by. Can reread again and again at regular intervals. If you live by the suggestions wriin this you will become a very good person in life. It is surprtthat this was written more than 2000 years back. Marcis Aurelius was a great man indeed with beautiful thoughts.

I was surprised at how small this book is - it literally fits in the palm of my hand. Apart form that, it is a very nice little hardback edition of one of the best guides to life ever written. The dust jacket is a nice touch, the book covers are embossed, and the pages are thick with no printing errors. There is even a ribbon marker to keep track of your daily wisdom. If you are at all interested in bettering yourself as a human being, read Meditations. And if you want a small quality version, buy this.