Reflections
A Modern Adaptation of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
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Reflections is a vibrant new translation of the private journals of Marcus Aurelius, the 2nd-century Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher.
In his writing, Aurelius grapples with the profound challenges of leadership and the quest for personal integrity. Writing with unsparing honesty, he explores themes of character, duty, the transience of worldly pleasures, and the acceptance of fate, offering counsel to himself and, by extension, to all those who seek wisdom and self-mastery. His terse, aphoristic entries blend personal confession with philosophical inquiry, revealing a mind of great depth and humanity.
This volume presents Aurelius' reflections in clear, accessible modern English while staying true to the original text's spirit.
Marcus Aurelius
Translated by
Marcus Aurelius reigned from 161 AD to 180 AD - perhaps the only true philosopher-king in the history of the world. In his MEDITATIONS, a series of notes to himself, he formulated his pantheist Stoic beliefs with a passionate religious conviction. The MEDITATIONS were written day by day, in every situation including war. They often appear to be responses to the stress of supreme power, from the imminent fear of death in battle, to the trials of everyday life.
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