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Summary: Stoicism for Monarchs
Review: If you are at all interested in the history of philosophical or theological thought, then you will want to acquaint yourself with the writings of Marcus Aurelius. In this work addressed to himself (he originally entitled it "To Myself" and it later came to be known as the "Meditations") he distills the essence of Stoicism, one of the most important and influential schools of classical philosophy. The Staniforth translation combines elegance and clarity, and the introduction and notes are excellent, so the Penguin edition is probably the one to go for, although some reviewers here seem to favor the Hays translation, which looks to be more direct and colloquial. Staniforth argues persuasively that Stoicism formed the rational basis for the fledgling Christian theology. (Interestingly, there is one, rather disparaging, reference to Christians in the text, which I suppose illustrates how significant the movement had become, a century after the death of its founder. Many scholars believe this to be an interpolation by a later author). Indeed, the similarity of this work to the late medieval "The Imitation of Christ" is striking. Part of the fascination of "Meditations" lies, of course, in the fact that Marcus was emperor of Rome, the greatest power on Earth at that time. We thus get an insight into the mind of an important historical character. This also means that much of what occupied him is hardly relevant to you or me. How many of us are plagued with sycophantic courtiers, or need to remind ourselves that the adulation of the mob may be short-lived? Yet it is clear that, despite all his power and privilege, Marcus was a troubled and pensive soul. One might say that "Meditations" is Stoicism for monarchs, whereas "The Imitation" is Stoicism for monks. If you enjoy one of those books, the chances are you will enjoy the other.
Rating: 
Summary: Marcus Aurelius
Review: I found this great philosophical Marcus Aurelius shirt. You should check it out so you can spread your knowledge and wear your intelligence and your heart on your sleeve. Meditations is an outstanding philosophical text. For a mind in that time to thought the way he did is complexly amazing. www.printmojo.com/consciouswear It's made by some company calling themselves Kwest Clothing Co.
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Summary: Way, way before its time
Review: Meditations is the kind of book you can just open up to any page and learn from, a still-relevant lesson about how to set priorities in what Socrates called the examined life. It is also a fascinating tour of the mind of Marcus Aurelius, the military leader, emperor, educator, philanthropist, and philosopher who remains one of history's most noble protagonists, and whose writings reveal the loneliness of his soul without being bitter. This is a must-have book for the nightstand of anyone living a contemplative life, a profound precursor to modern self-help books written by a Renaissance man who lived centuries before the Renaissance. There is no plot to summarize here, no accurate generalizations to be made. One gets the idea that these are thoughts the author jotted down, sometimes between appointments and sometimes after months of contemplation. Often they are obvious, sometimes they are obscure. They can seem rooted in history, and at times based on today's current events. They can be funny, surprising, or sad. But they are almost always worthwhile. A final note: I have two editions of this book, and while I think both this one and the Hicks' translation are very good, I prefer this by a small degree.
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Summary: a diamond
Review: The Meditations are terse statements, aphorisms, notes, even reminders. Some are like fragmented dialogues, which I find fascinated. Some are very hard to get a hold of. Others remarkably clear. Summarizing them is hard, and surely misleading, but they seem frequently to stand against illusions and mistaken judgments, especially in the face of frustration, desire, fear, and anger. The positive dimension of this is harder to describe (maybe because I have yet to know it firsthand): calmness, purpose, self-control, and a true reckoning of what will matter in the end, as understood in terms of the harmony and essential order of all things. He can be difficult in places, but at other times it is as though he sees into your soul. I think Marcus Aurelius will strike readers very differently based on where they are coming from. Some readers will resonate with his insistence on self-awareness, equanimity, and responsibility for one's own mental state and reactions. Other readers will be attracted by his ethical standards, commitment to the common good, and sense of divine harmony in all events. Others will simply enjoy his sobering reflection and insightful commentary on human nature. Historians will be fascinated with a look into the mind of a Roman emperor, seemingly untouched by the affairs of state (they are hardly mentioned in the text). Philosophers will enjoy learning about Stoic thought in praxis and how he's picked up the thought of other Greek thinkers (Epictetus, Chrysippus, Heraclitus, etc). Perhaps one of the most amazing things is how he might appeal equally to readers from very different backgrounds, a testament to the complexity of his thinking. This particular edition comes with a very good introduction that answers questions of history, religion, philosophy, and thematic ideas. I highly recommend it to those interested in Marcus Aurelius and his philosophical thought. In addition, Gregory Hays is a masterful translator who, I think, has taken care to convey the meaning of the original Greek in appropriate English counterparts. The first chapter is a beautiful one that describes Marcus Aurelius' gratitude to the many people that have positively influenced him, in each case telling what it is that he gained from them. Might we do the same someday ourselves? Though it is highly selective for me to do so (leaving out big chunks of what the book is like, especially the more obviously Stoic in form and content--such as the fleeting transience of life), below are just a few of my favorite quotes. "The best revenge is not to be like that." "You can hold your breath until you turn blue, but they'll still go on doing it." "It was for the best. So nature had no choice but to do it." "Forget the future. When and if it comes, you'll have the same resources to draw on--the same Logos." "Remember that our efforts are subject to circumstances; you weren't aiming to do the impossible. --aiming to do what then? --To try. And you succeeded. What you set out to do is accomplished." "Think of yourself as dead. You've lived your life. Now take what's left and live it properly." "...people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. They are like this because they can't tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own--not of the same blood or birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine. And so none of them can hurt me. No one can implicate me in ugliness. Nor can I feel angry at my relative, or hate him..."
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Summary: Two for the price of one
Review: This book is really two pamphlets in one. Each is well worth reading in its own right. Together, they are a real treat. In the introduction, the author provides a high level but highly instructive overview of the life and times of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome from A.D. 161 until his death in 180. From the brief biography of Marcus through the discussion of the philosophical traditions that informed the Emperor and, ultimately, the Meditations, to the summary of recurring themes, the Introduction is very worthwhile reading. The author conveniently includes some suggestions for further reading to allow any who are interested to plunge well below the surface that is only lightly touched here. The heart of the book, the Meditations themselves, is a superb and enduring testament to the community of humankind. Written nearly 2000 years ago, the Meditations, which Marcus never expected to be read by anyone other than himself and, perhaps, his son, reveal how consistently and deeply themes like death, integrity, ethics, and tolerance affect all people at all times. Perhaps the most notable reaction to reading this very accessible translation is that here, speaking across 20 centuries, is the basis for a successful career as a 21st Century "self-help guru".
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Summary: The philosophical notes of a Roman emperor
Review: Marcus Aurelius was an emperor of Rome. He was bought up in the stoic philosophical tradition of many of the Roman upper classes. However, for Marcus philosophy in all its forms was a life-long passion. What we have here are essentially note books written by Marcus on lessons he has learnt from life, drawn from his background as an emperor, general and relatively unknown person when he was younger. They are the result of a life time of thought on the human condition and mortality. He often goes over similar themes, refining what he has to say, which means at times the book can be a bit gloomy, but that does not invalidate the value of his observations. Gregory Hays has provided us with a new translation of Marcus's books taken from the preserved ancient Greek manuscripts. We have been given a colloquial and unpretentious translation which falls in well with what Marcus has to say. Having read this it is easy to see how these manuscripts have stood the test of time, and that what Marcus has to say is still of relevance today. To see how little human nature has changed in over 2 thousand years, this book is an eye opener and should be part of any collection of classic titles.
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Summary: A Little Dry, But Great
Review: This edition of Marcus Aurelius' 'Meditations' is an excellent rendition of what may be the most profound book of insight meditation ever written. It is an updating of George Long's venerable 1862 translation, with long sentences untangled and thee's and thou's modernized to you's . At first I found it a little dry and underemphatic, but as I continued reading, I became thoroughly engaged by its clarity and precision. As a literal reading, the Dover edition is a lot more readable than Loeb's Haines translation, and more direct than Staniforth's Penguin edition. And at this price, you almost can't afford not to have it. 'Meditations' really can help you be a better person.
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Summary: An Ancient Roman Amazingly Up To Date!
Review: As you read the words of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, you'll find advice and help that is as helpful now, in the 21st century as it was in his lifetime. I am a voracious reader of self-help books, and I see a lot of the essence of them summed up in Aurelius' MEDITATIONS. Aurelius is a Stoic, which is not to be confused with an unfeeling view of life. He is concerned with living a life of integrity and adopting principles of self discipline, especially in the face of impulse and action. His goal was to be just, self-disciplined, courageous and independent, and to live in the present. The book is divided into sections and the paragraphs are numbered. The style of writing is easy to understand, but it isn't "fast" reading -- sometimes it's possible to read two or three sentences and think deeply. It's a good book to carry with you and read in odd moments -- or when you have a lot of time to read. It will make you think and contemplate.
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Summary: Nothing original
Review: This is not the best translation. The Walter J. Black,Inc. 1944 Classic Club Edition is better, but either way it is just Marcus Aurelius trying to remind himself (over and over again) of the basic stoic theory that as long as we know what pertains to us and what doesn't and avoid gettting emotional about what doesn't pertain to us, all will be fine and tranquil within our souls. It reads like the book of Proverbs, jumping from topic to topic without much organization and with lots of repetition of the same basic themes with a few word changes. Many times, I felt like I was reading a remake of Epictetus Discourses, only not as well written by any stretch of the imagination. Not much of anything new or original, just a follower of a philosophy better stated by Epictetus (or should I say his student admirer, Arrian, who wrote the Discourses from first hand lectures he had heard.)
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Summary: A True Philosopher-King?
Review: "Meditations" was originally intended as a diary for the emperor himself. Yet, over the centuries it has become one of the most influential books ever written. It is nothing short of a guidebook to life: the book where an emperor, in his solitude, attempted to present the maxims, ideals, frustrations, and questions with which he wrestled. A profound, and extremely intimate, view of the world by an ancient master, this book is a classic for all....A TRUE MUST READ!
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