Meditations (book)

I finally slogged my way through Marcus Aurelius's book 'Meditations.' I got it for next to nothing on my Kindle (or maybe actually nothing, I can't remember), and I suppose it was worth it. :)

The wiki blurb says:

"Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement."

I'd heard of it, and it always seems to show up on those lists of "books everyone should read." Meh. As you can imagine from the date written, it was a bit tedious. Still, though, it kind of made me feel like I do when I read Proverbs from the Bible or something. Like, even the parts I couldn't understand still just made me feel better.

Anyway, here are a few highlights I noted:

p. 25 “…tranquility is nothing else than the good ordering of the mind.”

**p. 27 “The universe is transformation: life is opinion.”

p. 36 “Remember too on every occasion which leads thee to vexation to apply this principle: not that this is a misfortune, but that to bear it nobly is good fortune.”

**p. 37 “In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present – I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world?”

p. 53 “If any man is able to convince me and show me that I do not think or act right, I will gladly change; for I seek the truth by which no man was ever injured. But he is injured who abides in his error and ignorance.”

p. 78 “Receive wealth or prosperity without arrogance; and be ready to let it go.”

p. 80 “If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs thee, but thy own judgement about it. And it is in thy power to wipe out this judgement now.”

p. 89 “It is thy duty to leave another man’s wrongful act there where it is.”

**p. 92 “Loss is nothing else than change.”

p. 93 “One man prays thus: How shall I be able to lie with that woman? Do thou pray thus: How shall I not desire to lie with her? Another prays thus: How shall I be released from this? Another prays: How shall I not desire to be released? Another thus: How shall I not lose my little son? Thou thus: How shall I not be afraid to lose him? In fine, turn thy prayers this way, and see what comes.”

p. 106 “There is no man so fortunate that there shall not be by him when he is dying some who are pleased with what is going to happen.”

p. 122 “How ridiculous and what a stranger he is who is surprised by anything which happens in life.”

**p. 122 “If it is not right, do not do it: if it is not true, do not say it.”

There were more, but some tended to run quite lengthy. This gives you an idea. I'm glad I finished it, but am quite ready for something a tad easier to digest.

***

Proverbs 16:16

"How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    and good judgment than silver!"