Meditations
The private notebook of a Roman emperor, written to himself during long military campaigns: how to stay calm, kind and honest when everything around you isn't. By Marcus Aurelius (c. 170), translated by Meric Casaubon. A public-domain classic.
🎧 New: every story can be read aloud. Tap Listen to try it.
How it begins I. Of my grandfather Verus I have learned to be gentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. From the fame and memory of him that begot me I have learned both shamefastness and manlike behaviour. Of my mother I have learned to be religious, and bountiful; and to forbear, not only to do, but to intend any evil; to content myself with a spare diet, and to fly all such excess as is incidental to great wealth. Of my great-grandfather, both to frequent public schools and auditories, and to get me good and able teachers at home; and that I ought not to think much, if upon such occasions, I were at excessive charges.II. Of him that brought me up, not to be fondly addicted to either of the two great factions of the coursers in the circus, called Prasini, and Veneti: nor in the amphitheatre partially to favour any of the gladiators, or fencers, as either the Parmularii, or the Secutores. Moreover, to endure labour; nor to need many things; when I have anything to do, to do it myself rather than by others; not to meddle with many businesses; and not easily to admit of any slander. Keep reading →About this story
The private notebook of a Roman emperor, written to himself during long military campaigns: how to stay calm, kind and honest when everything around you is not. It was never meant to be published, and it reads like a man talking to himself.
Marcus Aurelius ruled Rome from 161 to 180 and wrote the Meditations in Greek, around 170. He was a Stoic, a follower of a philosophy that teaches that we cannot control events, only our response. This is a 17th-century English translation, by Meric Casaubon, and it has been read for centuries by people who want practical advice.
- Themes
- Stoicism, calm, duty, the shortness of life
- Good for
- Reading a few entries at a time; anyone who likes practical philosophy
- Worth noticing
- How often he reminds himself of the same few ideas.
Chapters
- 1The First Book17 min · 9 Oct
- 2The Second Book10 min · 9 Oct
- 3The Third Book15 min · 9 Oct
- 4The Fourth Book24 min · 9 Oct
- 5The Fifth Book24 min · 9 Oct
- 6The Sixth Book25 min · 9 Oct
- 7The Seventh Book26 min · 9 Oct
- 8The Eighth Book26 min · 9 Oct
- 9The Ninth Book24 min · 9 Oct
- 10The Tenth Book28 min · 9 Oct
- 11The Eleventh Book20 min · 9 Oct
- 12The Twelfth Book17 min · 9 Oct