描述
This Penguin Classic is performed by Richard Armitage, star of Peter Jackson'sThe Hobbit trilogy and also known for his roles in Ocean's 8 and Spooks. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Diskin Clay.
Originally written only for his personal consumption, Marcus Aurelius's Meditations has become a key text in the understanding of Roman Stoic philosophy. This Penguin Classics edition is translated with notes by Martin Hammond and an introduction by Diskin Clay.
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 Aurelius's own emotions. 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.
Martin Hammond's new translation fully expresses the intimacy and eloquence of the original work, with detailed notes elucidating the text. This edition also includes an introduction by Diskin Clay, exploring the nature and development of the Meditations, a chronology, further reading and full indexes.
Marcus Aelius Aurelius Antoninus (121-80) was adopted by the emperor Antoninus Pius and succeeded him in 161, (as joint emperor with adoptive brother Lucius Verus). He ruled alone from 169, and spent much of his reign in putting down various rebellions, and was a persecutor of Christians. His fame rest, above all, on his Meditations, a series of reflections, strongly influenced by Epictetus, which represent a Stoic outlook on life. He was succeeded by his natural son, thus ending the period of the adoptive emperors.
Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
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This book took me much longer to read than I expected, not because it was difficult, but because I kept stopping to underline, reflect, and make notes. I don’t always read for entertainment. Sometimes I read to learn, and Meditations was exactly that kind of book.What amazed me most is how similar the human mind remains despite the centuries between us. In so many of Marcus Aurelius’ thoughts, I could see myself. The fears, the motivations, the inner struggles, they feel timeless. It’s incredible to witness how philosophical thinking evolves, yet continues to circle around the same fundamental questions of purpose, discipline, and meaning.If you enjoy philosophy and observing how human thought changes while remaining deeply familiar, this book is for you. Short, powerful, and full of wisdom. A small book with so much to say.
I read a few of Marcus Aurelius' journal entries(?) in college but hadn't read all of them. It is amazing that his writings still hold up. This guy, who was arguably the most powerful man in the world at the time some 1800 years ago, had many of the same mundane problems and internal struggles we all do. While I don't completely ascribe to the ideals of stoicism, and probably lack some context and understanding, there is some timeless wisdom here around attempting to live life ethically and focusing on what we can control. Absolutely a must read for probably everyone. Also, this edition is on KU, and I appreciated the approachable translation and some (but not too much) additional commentary.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius isn’t a book you read once and move on from. It’s more like a book you revisit throughout different stages of your life, gaining new insights each time. It’s filled with wisdom, and almost every paragraph has something quotable—something that makes you pause and think. Even if you’re not into Stoicism, you can still take away a lot from this book because it’s not just about philosophy; it’s about life, discipline, and perspective.That said, the book does get repetitive. Marcus often circles back to the same ideas, just worded differently. At times, it even feels like he was going through an existential crisis. Some of his thoughts contradict each other, but that’s what makes it real—it’s a personal journal, not a polished philosophical treatise. The old style of writing can also be a bit difficult to grasp at times, but that’s more of a personal struggle than a flaw of the book itself.Overall, Meditations is worth reading, not because it’s some grand philosophical work, but because it offers practical, timeless advice. You don’t have to agree with everything in it, but there’s a good chance you’ll find something that resonates. And even if you don’t, the experience of reading it itself is valuable. It’s not a book to speed through—it’s a book to sit with, think about, and return to later.