Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library)

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However, it wasn’t necessarily the impoverished view of humanity that bothered me, so much as the structure and length of the writings. The year of his birth coincided with his grandfather’s second tenure of the consulship, in theory Rome’s highest office, though now of largely ceremonial importance. Marcus immediately acted to carry out what appears to have been Hadrian’s original intention (perhaps ignored by Antoninus) by pushing through the appointment of his adopted brother, Lucius Verus, as co-regent.

Does the Stoics' emphasis on accepting all that happens to us as natural prevent them from trying to change the world in positive ways? Thou wilt die soon and thou are not yet simple nor free from perturbations, nor without suspicion of being hurt by external things, nor kindly disposed towards all; nor dost thou yet place wisdom only in acting justly. The meditations are short snippets of advice and insights into the nature of reality and how humans can best navigate their way through life. Marcus Aurelius used philosophy as we used religion — as a way of constructing a worldview and of ethics and a proper way of living. He always strived to become better, acutely aware of the responsibilities that lay on him and of the people's expectations, trying to meet them all.highlights were exclusively in the Hays translation, 27 exclusively in the Waterfield translation, and 22 passages were highlighted in both translations.

He talks about various aspects of how one can improve their lives by straightforward and consistent action. Bertrand Russell found them contradictory and inconsistent, evidence of a "tired age" where "even real goods lose their savour. While I ask for nothing to be watered down, I recommend to any prospective reader the selection of a translation written in the language of the current century or, at the very least, the last one.Aurelius’ writings on fame seemed to resonate with me in Waterfield’s translation, the death writings stuck out more when I read the Hays translation. In an address to the emperor Valens, On Brotherly Love, he says: "You do not need the exhortations ( Greek: παραγγέλματα) of Marcus.