Meditations

George Long’s translation of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius was first published in 1862. Marcus Aurelius was the last of the five good emperors of Rome (the other four being Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius). Aurelius was born in 121 CE and died in 180 CE. He was the last emperor of the Pax Romana, the period of relative peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire.

Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher, and the Meditations are a record of his thoughts on Stoic philosophy. The Meditations are not a systematic treatise on Stoic philosophy, but rather a collection of Aurelius’ thoughts on various topics.

Stoicism is a philosophical system that holds that the best way to live is in accordance with nature. The Stoics believed that the world is governed by reason and that the goal of life is to live in harmony with reason. The Stoics also believed in the importance of self-control, living in the present moment, and making reasonable decisions.

The Meditations are divided into twelve books. Book I is a general introduction to Stoic philosophy. Books II-IV are concerned with Aurelius’ own spiritual development

Meditations did not make it onto the New York Times Best Sellers list for 2016.

There are many things that make listeners interested in the Meditations, including the fact that it is one of the most influential works of philosophy ever written, and that it provides a unique and insightful perspective on a wide range of topics. Additionally, the fact that the work is still relevant after nearly two thousand years is a testament to its enduring value.

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