Meditations gathers the private reflections of Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor attempting to live according to Stoic principles amid responsibility, conflict, illness, and loss. The entries consider self-discipline, mortality, anger, duty, perspective, and living in accordance with one's values.

Why Read It

The book endures because it shows someone with immense power repeatedly reminding himself to act with humility, fairness, restraint, and attention to what he could control. It presents philosophy as a daily practice rather than an abstract system.

What's Inside

The Modern Library edition of Marcus Aurelius' private Stoic reflections, translated by Gregory Hays with a foreword by Ryan Holiday.

About the Author

Marcus Aurelius was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 CE and is commonly identified as one of the major Roman Stoic thinkers. Meditations was written in Greek as private notes and was not originally intended as a public book.

Details

• Format: book.
• Page count: 272 pages.
• Author: Marcus Aurelius.
• Translator: Gregory Hays.
• Publisher: Modern Library.