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Meditations (Penguin Classics) Paperback – October 31, 2006
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Written in Greek by an intellectual Roman emperor without any intention of publication, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius offer a wide range of fascinating spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the leader struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Spanning from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation, they cover such diverse topics as the question of virtue, human rationality, the nature of the gods and the values of leadership. But while the Meditations were composed to provide personal consolation, in developing his beliefs Marcus also created one of the greatest of all works of philosophy: a series of wise and practical aphorisms that have been consulted and admired by statesmen, thinkers and ordinary readers for almost two thousand years.
To provide a full understanding of Aurelius's seminal work, this edition includes explanatory notes, a general index, an index of quotations, an index of names, and an introduction by Diskin Clay putting the work in its biographical, historical, and literary context, a chronology of Marcus Aurelius's life and career.
Penguin Classics is the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, representing a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPenguin Classics
- Publication dateOctober 31, 2006
- Dimensions7.7 x 5.1 x 0.72 inches
- ISBN-100140449337
- ISBN-13978-0140449334
- Lexile measure1040L
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From the Back Cover
In Gregory Hays's new translation--the first in a generation--Marcus's thoughts speak with a new immediacy: never before have they been so directly and powerfully presented.
"From the Trade Paperback edition.
About the Author
Diskin Clay is Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies at Duke University and has published widely in the area of Ancient Greek Philosophy.
Martin Hammond was Head Master of Tonbridge School and has translated many works of classic literature, including Homer's Iliad for Penguin Classics.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Debts and Lessons
1. My grandfather Verus
Character and self-control.
2. My father (from my own memories and
his reputation)
Integrity and manliness.
3. My mother
Her reverence for the divine, her generosity, her inability not only to do wrong but even to conceive of doing it. And the simple way she lived-not in the least like the rich.
4. My great-grandfather
To avoid the public schools, to hire good private teachers, and to accept the resulting costs as money well-spent.
5. My first teacher
Not to support this side or that in chariot-racing, this fighter or that in the games. To put up with discomfort and not make demands. To do my own work, mind my own business, and have no time for slanderers.
6. Diognetus
Not to waste time on nonsense. Not to be taken in by conjurors and hoodoo artists with their talk about incantations and exorcism and all the rest of it. Not to be obsessed with quail-fighting or other crazes like that. To hear unwelcome truths. To practice philosophy, and to study with Baccheius, and then with Tandasis and Marcianus. To write dialogues as a student. To choose the Greek lifestyle-the camp-bed and the cloak.
7. Rusticus
The recognition that I needed to train and discipline my character.
Not to be sidetracked by my interest in rhetoric. Not to write treatises on abstract questions, or deliver moralizing little sermons, or compose imaginary descriptions of The Simple Life or The Man Who Lives Only for Others. To steer clear of oratory, poetry and belles lettres.
Not to dress up just to stroll around the house, or things like that. To write straightforward letters (like the one he sent my mother from Sinuessa). And to behave in a conciliatory way when people who have angered or annoyed us want to make up.
To read attentively-not to be satisfied with "just getting the gist of it." And not to fall for every smooth talker.
And for introducing me to Epictetus's lectures-and loaning me his own copy.
8. Apollonius
Independence and unvarying reliability, and to pay attention to nothing, no matter how fleetingly, except the logos. And to be the same in all circumstances-intense pain, the loss of a child, chronic illness. And to see clearly, from his example, that a man can show both strength and flexibility.
His patience in teaching. And to have seen someone who clearly viewed his expertise and ability as a teacher as the humblest of virtues.
And to have learned how to accept favors from friends without losing your self-respect or appearing ungrateful.
9. Sextus
Kindness.
An example of fatherly authority in the home. What it means to live as nature requires.
Gravity without airs.
To show intuitive sympathy for friends, tolerance to amateurs and sloppy thinkers. His ability to get along with everyone: sharing his company was the highest of compliments, and the opportunity an honor for those around him.
To investigate and analyze, with understanding and logic, the principles we ought to live by.
Not to display anger or other emotions. To be free of passion and yet full of love.
To praise without bombast; to display expertise without pretension.
10. The literary critic Alexander
Not to be constantly correcting people, and in particular not to jump on them whenever they make an error of usage or a grammatical mistake or mispronounce something, but just answer their question or add another example, or debate the issue itself (not their phrasing), or make some other contribution to the discussion-and casually insert the correct expression.
11. Fronto
To recognize the malice, cunning and hypocrisy that power produces, and the peculiar ruthlessness often shown by people from "good families."
12. Alexander the Platonist
Not to be constantly telling people (or writing them) that I'm too busy, unless I really am. Similarly, not to be always ducking my responsibilities to the people around me because of "pressing business."
13. Catulus
Not to shrug off a friend's resentment-even unjustified resentment-but try to put things right.
To show your teachers ungrudging respect (the Domitius and Athenodotus story), and your children unfeigned love.
14. [My brother] Severus
To love my family, truth and justice. It was through him that I encountered Thrasea, Helvidius, Cato, Dion and Brutus, and conceived of a society of equal laws, governed by equality of status and of speech, and of rulers who respect the liberty of their subjects above all else.
And from him as well, to be steady and consistent in valuing philosophy.
And to help others and be eager to share, not to be a pessimist, and never to doubt your friends' affection for you. And that when people incurred his disapproval, they always knew it. And that his friends never had to speculate about his attitude to anything: it was always clear.
15. Maximus
Self-control and resistance to distractions.
Optimism in adversity-especially illness.
A personality in balance: dignity and grace together.
Doing your job without whining.
Other people's certainty that what he said was what he thought, and what he did was done without malice.
Never taken aback or apprehensive. Neither rash nor hesitant-or bewildered, or at a loss. Not obsequious-but not aggressive or paranoid either.
Generosity, charity, honesty.
The sense he gave of staying on the path rather than being kept on it.
That no one could ever have felt patronized by him-or in a position to patronize him.
A sense of humor.
16. My adopted father
Compassion. Unwavering adherence to decisions, once he'd reached them. Indifference to superficial honors. Hard work. Persistence.
Listening to anyone who could contribute to the public good.
His dogged determination to treat people as they deserved.
A sense of when to push and when to back off.
Putting a stop to the pursuit of boys.
His altruism. Not expecting his friends to keep him entertained at dinner or to travel with him (unless they wanted to). And anyone who had to stay behind to take care of something always found him the same when he returned.
His searching questions at meetings. A kind of single-mindedness, almost, never content with first impressions, or breaking off the discussion prematurely.
His constancy to friends-never getting fed up with them, or playing favorites.
Self-reliance, always. And cheerfulness.
And his advance planning (well in advance) and his discreet attention to even minor things.
His restrictions on acclamations-and all attempts to flatter him.
His constant devotion to the empire's needs. His stewardship of the treasury. His willingness to take responsibility-and blame-for both.
His attitude to the gods: no superstitiousness. And his attitude to men: no demagoguery, no currying favor, no pandering. Always sober, always steady, and never vulgar or a prey to fads.
The way he handled the material comforts that fortune had supplied him in such abundance-without arrogance and without apology. If they were there, he took advantage of them. If not, he didn't miss them.
No one ever called him glib, or shameless, or pedantic. They saw him for what he was: a man tested by life, accomplished, unswayed by flattery, qualified to govern both himself and them.
His respect for people who practiced philosophy-at least, those who were sincere about it. But without denigrating the others-or listening to them.
His ability to feel at ease with people-and put them at their ease, without being pushy.
His willingness to take adequate care of himself. Not a hypochondriac or obsessed with his appearance, but not ignoring things either. With the result that he hardly ever needed medical attention, or drugs or any sort of salve or ointment.
This, in particular: his willingness to yield the floor to experts-in oratory, law, psychology, whatever-and to support them energetically, so that each of them could fulfil his potential.
That he respected tradition without needing to constantly congratulate himself for Safeguarding Our Traditional Values.
Not prone to go off on tangents, or pulled in all directions, but sticking with the same old places and the same old things.
The way he could have one of his migraines and then go right back to what he was doing-fresh and at the top of his game.
That he had so few secrets-only state secrets, in fact, and not all that many of those.
The way he kept public actions within reasonable bounds-games, building projects, distributions of money and so on-because he looked to what needed doing and not the credit to be gained from doing it.
No bathing at strange hours, no self-indulgent building projects, no concern for food, or the cut and color of his clothes, or having attractive slaves. (The robe from his farm at Lorium, most of the things at Lanuvium, the way he accepted the customs agent's apology at Tusculum, etc.)
He never exhibited rudeness, lost control of himself, or turned violent. No one ever saw him sweat. Everything was to be approached logically and with due consideration, in a calm and orderly fashion but decisively, and with no loose ends.
You could have said of him (as they say of Socrates) that he knew how to enjoy and abstain from things that most people find it hard to abstain from and all too easy to enjoy. Strength, perseverance, self-control in both areas: the mark of a soul in readiness-indomitable.
(Maximus's illness.)
17. The Gods
That I had good grandparents, a good mother and father, a good sister, good teachers, good servants, relatives, friends-almost without exception. And that I never lost control of myself with any of them, although I had it in me to do that, and I might have, easily. But thanks to the gods, I was never put in that position, and so escaped the test.
That I wasn't raised by my grandfather's girlfriend for longer than I was. That I didn't lose my virginity too early, and didn't enter adulthood until it was time-put it off, even.
That I had someone-as a ruler and as a father-who could keep me from being arrogant and make me realize that even at court you can live without a troop of bodyguards, and gorgeous clothes, lamps, sculpture-the whole charade. That you can behave almost like an ordinary person without seeming slovenly or careless as a ruler or when carrying out official obligations.
That I had the kind of brother I did. One whose character challenged me to improve my own. One whose love and affection enriched my life.
That my children weren't born stupid or physically deformed.
That I wasn't more talented in rhetoric or poetry, or other areas. If I'd felt that I was making better progress I might never have given them up.
That I conferred on the people who brought me up the honors they seemed to want early on, instead of putting them off (since they were still young) with the hope that I'd do it later.
That I knew Apollonius, and Rusticus, and Maximus.
That I saw was shown clearly and often what it would be like to live as nature requires. The gods did all they could-through their gifts, their help, their inspiration-to ensure that I could live as nature demands. And if I've failed, it's no one's fault but mine. Because I didn't pay attention to what they told me-to what they taught me, practically, step by step.
That my body has held out, especially considering the life I've led.
That I never laid a finger on Benedicta or on Theodotus. And that even later, when I was overcome by passion, I recovered from it.
That even though I was often upset with Rusticus I never did anything I would have regretted later.
That even though she died young, at least my mother spent her last years with me.
That whenever I felt like helping someone who was short of money, or otherwise in need, I never had to be told that I had no resources to do it with. And that I was never put in that position myself-of having to take something from someone else.
That I have the wife I do: obedient, loving, humble.
That children had competent teachers.
Remedies granted through dreams-when I was coughing blood, for instance, and having fits of dizziness. And the one at Caieta.
That when I became interested in philosophy I didn't fall into the hands of charlatans, and didn't get bogged down in writing treatises, or become absorbed by logic-chopping, or preoccupied with physics.
All things for which "we need the help of fortune and the gods."
Product details
- Publisher : Penguin Classics (October 31, 2006)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0140449337
- ISBN-13 : 978-0140449334
- Lexile measure : 1040L
- Item Weight : 7.7 ounces
- Dimensions : 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.72 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #10 in Ancient Greek & Roman Philosophy
- #12 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality
- #103 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Marcus Cornelius Fronto (c. 100 – late 160s), Roman grammarian, rhetorician and advocate, was born at Cirta in Numidia. He also was suffect consul of 142.
Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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Customers find the book enlightening, inspiring, and profound. They appreciate the translation quality, writing style, and relevance to modern life. The book is described as a timeless classic with simple yet profound concepts.
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Customers find the book an enlightening, inspiring read with practical philosophy. They appreciate the simple yet profound concepts that can change their perspective. The book provides a guide to living a good life as defined by stoic philosophy. It is full of wisdom and can change your life.
"...The message is beautiful yet very simple: do your best with whatever befalls you, expressing gratitude for the chance to learn from it, and be good..." Read more
"...It's a book you can pick up and just flip to a page and read without having to read the entire book at one time...." Read more
"...Content-wise, I adore it. One of my favorite, most practical philosophy texts, and one I will return to endlessly. Really helps me stay centered." Read more
"...This book does not take long to read, and you can plow through it in about a week with roughly 30 minutes of reading each day...." Read more
Customers find the book's translation excellent and easy to understand. They appreciate the aphorism-based writing style that makes it simple to read and comprehend. The author's philosophy doesn't use pretentious language, making the book consumable. Readers recommend referencing the notes while reading the book. Overall, they consider the writings of Marcus Aurelius brilliant and relevant even today.
"...It should be required reading in our schools. The message is beautiful yet very simple: do your best with whatever befalls you, expressing gratitude..." Read more
"I consider this my bible, the writings of Marcus Aurelius are brilliant even in today's world...." Read more
"...may have two or three very minor ones, but it is overall a very hassle-free read. Content-wise, I adore it...." Read more
"...Due to Marcus' philosophy, he does not use pretentious language, so the book is consumable by a wide audience...." Read more
Customers find the book relevant to modern life. They say it's a timeless classic with timeless thoughts.
"...We are incredibly privileged to be able to read such a historical masterpiece...." Read more
"This book is almost 2000 years old and still relevant. It is full of wisdom that can change your perspective in a powerful way...." Read more
"All should read this. The combined context and relevance to modern life is astounding." Read more
"Great book. Timeless classic to have and read again and again...." Read more
Reviews with images
Almost 2000 Years Old and Eerily Accurate to Todays World
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2024Meditations is an absolute classic. It should be required reading in our schools. The message is beautiful yet very simple: do your best with whatever befalls you, expressing gratitude for the chance to learn from it, and be good no matter the cost. The world would be better if we had more people like Marcus and fewer people trying to selfishly escape responsibility and eschew gratitude. Stoicism saved me from a life of bitterness and resentment, and I hope its reach only grows with time.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024I consider this my bible, the writings of Marcus Aurelius are brilliant even in today's world. He spoke from the heart and had a way of articulating his points. It's a book you can pick up and just flip to a page and read without having to read the entire book at one time. Some of his writings are only a couple phrases or sentences some are a couple pages but everything he writes is from his wisdom. This is my daily inspiration
- Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024I often encounter severe typos in e-book editions of philosophy texts and other esoteric works, but not this time. This version may have two or three very minor ones, but it is overall a very hassle-free read.
Content-wise, I adore it. One of my favorite, most practical philosophy texts, and one I will return to endlessly. Really helps me stay centered.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2023Synopsis:
This is a book that everyone needs to read. This is the personal diary of the most important man in the Roman empire at the time it was written. This is the equivalent of being able to read the personal diary of todays world leaders, or top CEO's and understand their motivations and philosophies. This book does not take long to read, and you can plow through it in about a week with roughly 30 minutes of reading each day. Due to Marcus' philosophy, he does not use pretentious language, so the book is consumable by a wide audience. Overall, this book is certainly worth the read and it will change how you look at the world, yourself and your actions.
The Book:
Marcus was born in 121 AD and died in 180 AD, making his writings ~1,800 years old at the time of this review. Mediate on that for a bit...you're reading the personal diary from a Roman emperor who died almost 2000 years ago. We are incredibly privileged to be able to read such a historical masterpiece. The introduction from the translator is quite long, to the degree that I skipped it as he was consistently making references to the text, of which, I had not read yet. Mediations makes up the minority of the pages, with the majority being the introduction, then the rest being explanations of each verse. The explanations can be helpful in explaining the historical context.
Here's a few heavily summarized topics discussed in the book as a preview:
On Perception:
Marcus made it his mission to look at the world objectively and for what it truly is, free of personal opinion or emotion. As long as what you were experiencing was within the bounds of what could be expected within the life of a human, it was your perception that made it pleasurable or painful. You could then change your perception on the issue and improve your life.
On Religion:
Despite being polytheistic, his philosophy on nature centers heavily on a type of worship of Gaia, coming very close to exalting her above Zeus. This is a very fine line he dances, always placing his trust in the Gods who had his best interest at heart, but also blending his knowledge of the natural world. Another peculiarity is that he frequently uses God in the singular form.
On Nature:
Nature has everyone and everything performing a specific task which contributes to the whole. To determine if something is good or bad, Marcus asks himself if it would harm the wider society. To illustrate, here is a quote from Marcus, "That which is not good for the beehive cannot be good for bees".
On Time:
Close to the end of the book, and to Marcus' death, he begins to reflect on his time spent on the earth. Marcus discusses how events repeat themselves and that 40 years of studying the natural world is enough. This is an extremely profound realization, since the reader can draw many parallels from his life, to our modern lives. He makes the bold claim that things never change, and time has proved him right. Marcus eventually died at 58 years of age.
5.0 out of 5 stars Almost 2000 Years Old and Eerily Accurate to Todays WorldSynopsis:
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2023
This is a book that everyone needs to read. This is the personal diary of the most important man in the Roman empire at the time it was written. This is the equivalent of being able to read the personal diary of todays world leaders, or top CEO's and understand their motivations and philosophies. This book does not take long to read, and you can plow through it in about a week with roughly 30 minutes of reading each day. Due to Marcus' philosophy, he does not use pretentious language, so the book is consumable by a wide audience. Overall, this book is certainly worth the read and it will change how you look at the world, yourself and your actions.
The Book:
Marcus was born in 121 AD and died in 180 AD, making his writings ~1,800 years old at the time of this review. Mediate on that for a bit...you're reading the personal diary from a Roman emperor who died almost 2000 years ago. We are incredibly privileged to be able to read such a historical masterpiece. The introduction from the translator is quite long, to the degree that I skipped it as he was consistently making references to the text, of which, I had not read yet. Mediations makes up the minority of the pages, with the majority being the introduction, then the rest being explanations of each verse. The explanations can be helpful in explaining the historical context.
Here's a few heavily summarized topics discussed in the book as a preview:
On Perception:
Marcus made it his mission to look at the world objectively and for what it truly is, free of personal opinion or emotion. As long as what you were experiencing was within the bounds of what could be expected within the life of a human, it was your perception that made it pleasurable or painful. You could then change your perception on the issue and improve your life.
On Religion:
Despite being polytheistic, his philosophy on nature centers heavily on a type of worship of Gaia, coming very close to exalting her above Zeus. This is a very fine line he dances, always placing his trust in the Gods who had his best interest at heart, but also blending his knowledge of the natural world. Another peculiarity is that he frequently uses God in the singular form.
On Nature:
Nature has everyone and everything performing a specific task which contributes to the whole. To determine if something is good or bad, Marcus asks himself if it would harm the wider society. To illustrate, here is a quote from Marcus, "That which is not good for the beehive cannot be good for bees".
On Time:
Close to the end of the book, and to Marcus' death, he begins to reflect on his time spent on the earth. Marcus discusses how events repeat themselves and that 40 years of studying the natural world is enough. This is an extremely profound realization, since the reader can draw many parallels from his life, to our modern lives. He makes the bold claim that things never change, and time has proved him right. Marcus eventually died at 58 years of age.
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024I enjoyed these reflections. I had never read any books by Marcus Aurelius and was inspired to do so after watching the film, the holdovers. The film misrepresents the book, however, in that it states that God is never mentioned. In fact, it seems to me that God is present all over these pages and mention several times. It reads likethe book of proverbs in some ways. At other times, it feels like Ecclesiastes. This is not a long read, but it is a worthwhile one in my opinion. The emphasis on the virtues as a way of life has always worth further reflection.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2024Glad to finally have a copy of this. Print and binding is a wee bit flimsy, so definitely not a pass it along heirloom quality printing. But, it’s the Meditations that counts, right?
Top reviews from other countries
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luis a.Reviewed in Mexico on November 15, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro
Buen libro
-
alex_de_brasilReviewed in Brazil on October 28, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo livro, boa tradução
Um dos melhores livros que eu já li. Um livro que nunca era pra ter sido um livro. Meditações foi um "diário" pessoal de Marco Aurélio que continha conselhos que ele escrevia para si próprio a fim de encontrar alguma paz e direção em meio ao caos.
A tradução da Penguin é boa, mas eu achei a de Hays melhor.
- TheErgoProxyReviewed in Canada on March 1, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Wisdom for Cultivating Virtue and Resilience in an Uncertain World
"Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius is a profound and timeless work of philosophy that offers readers profound insights into Stoic philosophy and practical guidance for living a virtuous life. Composed as a series of personal reflections and meditations, this classic text provides a window into the mind of one of history's most revered leaders and philosophers.
One of the most compelling aspects of "Meditations" is its intimate and introspective tone. Written by Marcus Aurelius as a form of self-examination and moral reflection, the text offers readers a glimpse into the inner thoughts and struggles of a Stoic philosopher-emperor. Through his meditations, Marcus Aurelius grapples with timeless questions of ethics, mortality, and the nature of the universe, offering readers profound insights into the human condition.
Central to Marcus Aurelius's philosophy is the idea of living in accordance with nature and embracing the virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. Throughout "Meditations," he emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, resilience, and moral integrity in the face of life's challenges. His reflections on the transience of life, the importance of humility, and the power of reason offer readers timeless wisdom that is as relevant today as it was in ancient Rome.
Moreover, "Meditations" is filled with practical advice and actionable insights that readers can apply to their own lives. From strategies for overcoming adversity to techniques for cultivating inner peace and tranquility, Marcus Aurelius's meditations offer a valuable roadmap for navigating life's ups and downs with grace and dignity.
In conclusion, "Meditations" is a profound and enduring work that continues to inspire readers with its timeless wisdom and practical guidance. Marcus Aurelius's reflections on Stoic philosophy offer readers a blueprint for living a life of virtue, resilience, and inner peace, making it essential reading for anyone seeking wisdom and guidance in their journey through life.
TheErgoProxy
Reviewed in Canada on March 1, 2024
One of the most compelling aspects of "Meditations" is its intimate and introspective tone. Written by Marcus Aurelius as a form of self-examination and moral reflection, the text offers readers a glimpse into the inner thoughts and struggles of a Stoic philosopher-emperor. Through his meditations, Marcus Aurelius grapples with timeless questions of ethics, mortality, and the nature of the universe, offering readers profound insights into the human condition.
Central to Marcus Aurelius's philosophy is the idea of living in accordance with nature and embracing the virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. Throughout "Meditations," he emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, resilience, and moral integrity in the face of life's challenges. His reflections on the transience of life, the importance of humility, and the power of reason offer readers timeless wisdom that is as relevant today as it was in ancient Rome.
Moreover, "Meditations" is filled with practical advice and actionable insights that readers can apply to their own lives. From strategies for overcoming adversity to techniques for cultivating inner peace and tranquility, Marcus Aurelius's meditations offer a valuable roadmap for navigating life's ups and downs with grace and dignity.
In conclusion, "Meditations" is a profound and enduring work that continues to inspire readers with its timeless wisdom and practical guidance. Marcus Aurelius's reflections on Stoic philosophy offer readers a blueprint for living a life of virtue, resilience, and inner peace, making it essential reading for anyone seeking wisdom and guidance in their journey through life.
Images in this review - Frank SenReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 26, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Great wisdom
Great book and everlasting truths written in a format that is easy to read every day.
- Paulo MenezesReviewed in Germany on December 21, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars arrived as expected
good quality and fast delivery.