Meditations Paperback - 2014
by Marcus Aurelius
About this book
Reader reviews for Meditations
Review summary
Readers largely praise this emperor’s private journal for its humane, practical Stoic counsel—discipline, acceptance of fate, focus on the present, and doing one’s duty—delivered in quotable, aphoristic lines that feel strikingly modern. Many call it a manual for living well and recommend slow, repeated reading; several note its power as a source of daily reminders against distraction, anger, and fear of death. The book’s repetitions divide opinion: some see them as purposeful reinforcement; others find them dull, blog-like, or self-justifying given the author’s immense privilege. Translation choice matters, with modern versions (e.g., Hays, Hammond) often preferred for clarity and context. Overall, it’s viewed as timeless and applicable, though not universally compelling.
Readers say this book is:
timelesspracticalaphoristicthought-provokinginspirationalmeditativegroundingaccessiblerepetitiveoverratedWrite a review for this book
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From the publisher
First edition identification
Widely known as Meditations today, Marcus Aurelius initially compiled the twelve books that make up the work as private journals. The books were originally written in Ancient (Medieval) Greek by the title (ta eis heauton) which translates to "That which is to Himself".
The earliest reference to the work is from Herodian in the 3rd century, who mentions Marcus Aurelius' literary legacy, and there are later references from Arethas of Caesarea in the 10th century and John Tzetzes in the 12th century. The book was first divided into twelve books by the Suda lexicon published in the 10th century. The text is based mainly on two manuscripts: the Codex Palatinus (P) and the Codex Vaticanus (A), which was printed by Wilhelm Xylander in 1558.
The modern history of Meditations dates from the issue of the first printed edition (editio princeps) by Wilhelm Xylander, which appeared in Latin in 1558 or 1559. The original manuscript from which it was printed is now lost, so this text has become one of the two principal sources of all modern texts. First English translation was made in 1634 by Meric Casaubon.
Meditations has always been an extremely popular text and it continues to help and inspire readers today.
Details
- Title Meditations
- Author Marcus Aurelius
- Binding Paperback
- Pages 100
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
- Publication date 2014-02
- ISBN 9781505632262 / 1505632269
- Weight 0.32 lbs (0.15 kg)
- Dimensions 9 x 6 x 0.21 in (22.86 x 15.24 x 0.53 cm)
- Reading level 1150
- Category Philosophy
- Dewey Decimal Code 188
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Meditations: Special Edition
by Aurelius, Marcus
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