Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library)

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His "Meditations" is a loosely-organized set of thoughts relating to his stoic philosophy, now in an acclaimed new translation. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek [1] as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. p With an Introduction that outlines Marcus's life and career, the essentials of Stoic doctrine, the style and construction of the Meditations, and the work's ongoing influence, this edition makes it possible to fully rediscover the thoughts of one of the most enlightened and intelligent leaders of any era.

And I think back to my life - and some of the more traumatic things that have happened to me, and I also like to think: I'm only a victim if I allow myself to be a victim. Petty grievance time: I read the Kindle version, and there are no links from the passages to the notes. I will always cherish the Hays’s translation because it was the first one I read and there are some passages that resonate with me strongly in his version.The Meditations refers often to the need to act "unselfishly," yet much of its advice seems to center on seeking tranquillity within oneself and ignoring the outside world. Much of his time was spent fielding problems that had moved up the administrative ladder: receiving embassies from the large cities of the empire, trying appeals of criminal cases, answering queries from provincial governors and dealing with petitions from individuals.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to Himself: an English translation with introductory study on stoicism and the last of the Stoics, by G. A kind of single-mindedness, almost, never content with first impressions, or breaking off the discussion prematurely. Ancient philosophical ideas are not difficult or complicated in themselves, they are just written in (what can appear to the layman as) convoluted language. There is no evidence that Marcus experienced anything like the “conversion” to philosophy that some ancient figures experienced (or affected), but it is clear that by the middle to late 140s philosophy was becoming increasingly central to his life. And if you are interested in Stoicism, then you should also take a look at some other books that explore Stoicism, Buddhism, happiness and enjoying life.

Waterfield has written an accessible translation of Marcus’s writings that I believe even non-philosophy people will enjoy.