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Sara's Reviews > Meditations
Meditations
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Written between the years 170 and 180 while on campaign, Marcus Aurelius' work Meditations is one of the most enduring works of philosophy ever penned by man. I read this book very slowly, in an attempt to absorb the wisdom and instruction within its pages, but it will take more than one reading to do that, for every word has meaning and impact. Why is this not required reading in our schools? It could easily teach our children everything they will ever need to know to navigate life well and live in happiness and peace.
Just a few of the more poignant and meaningful quotations from this work (although I could have abandoned these and selected ten others which were just as good):
1. Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.
2.The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
3.Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.
4. Dwell upon the beauty of life. Watch the stars and see yourself running with them.
5. If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.
6. Our life is what our thoughts make it.
7. It is not death a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.
8. If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.
9. How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.
10. How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life.
That Marcus Aurelius was one of the “five good emperors” does not surprise me. I had never thought that I would have found any joy in being a stoic, but I believe living your life according to the precepts he puts forward would bring both joy and peace. I will be re-reading The Meditations over the course of this year, one panel a night before going to bed seems like a good practice, to remind myself, as Marcus Aurelius was reminding himself, that a good life is found internally, not externally.
Just a few of the more poignant and meaningful quotations from this work (although I could have abandoned these and selected ten others which were just as good):
1. Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.
2.The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
3.Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.
4. Dwell upon the beauty of life. Watch the stars and see yourself running with them.
5. If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.
6. Our life is what our thoughts make it.
7. It is not death a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.
8. If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.
9. How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.
10. How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life.
That Marcus Aurelius was one of the “five good emperors” does not surprise me. I had never thought that I would have found any joy in being a stoic, but I believe living your life according to the precepts he puts forward would bring both joy and peace. I will be re-reading The Meditations over the course of this year, one panel a night before going to bed seems like a good practice, to remind myself, as Marcus Aurelius was reminding himself, that a good life is found internally, not externally.
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Quotes Sara Liked
“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
― Meditations
― Meditations
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
― Meditations
― Meditations
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
― Meditations
― Meditations
“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”
― Meditations
― Meditations
“I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others.”
― Meditations
― Meditations
Reading Progress
December 2, 2016
– Shelved
December 2, 2016
– Shelved as:
to-read
December 29, 2019
–
Started Reading
January 26, 2020
–
20.0%
"Reading this very slowly and repeating sections. How can something this old be this relative? Because the basic tenets of morality never change and exercising common sense and decency never goes out of style."
February 8, 2020
–
50.0%
February 11, 2020
– Shelved as:
classics
February 11, 2020
– Shelved as:
gutenberg-download
February 11, 2020
– Shelved as:
more-than-5-stars
February 11, 2020
– Shelved as:
philosophy
February 11, 2020
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-32 of 32 (32 new)
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Feb 11, 2020 07:24AM
Words of wisdom we can all use. Another marvelous review, Sara :)
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Terrific review, Sara. I'm so glad you gave some quotations from the book. I would have assumed heavy philosophy, but it's not that at all. I will buy this book and read parts of it every day for inspiration.
Candi wrote: "Words of wisdom we can all use. Another marvelous review, Sara :)"Thanks, Candi. I was floored by how relevant and easy to read this was. I see it as a go-to book for me from here out. I downloaded it onto my tablet, so I am looking for a nice hardback copy to put by my bed.
Anne wrote: "Terrific review, Sara. I'm so glad you gave some quotations from the book. I would have assumed heavy philosophy, but it's not that at all. I will buy this book and read parts of it every day for i..."I made the same mistake, thinking this would be like reading Plato or Socrates. I think you have cited exactly the right way to read this, Anne, a passage a day for inspiration.
Beautiful review, Sara!
All credit to Marcus Aurelius, Jennifer.
Excellent review, Sara. Thanks for listing these 10 things that are so relevant for all of us.
Thank you, Angela. I wish I had discovered this book earlier in life, but I believe it will be a staple for me now.
I did discover Marcus Aurelious earlier in life, along with Montaigne, and have plucked those books off my shelf anytime I need a reminder of what a good life should be. I wish "Meditations" would be required reading in high school, although I guess most kids would just laugh at such irrelevant (to them) it is. I suspect when you were deciding which quotes to use, it was hard to stop at 10.
Diane wrote: "I did discover Marcus Aurelious earlier in life, along with Montaigne, and have plucked those books off my shelf anytime I need a reminder of what a good life should be. I wish "Meditations" would ..."Perhaps you are right, but I think there are many who might not appreciate him fully in high school, but the exposure would give them a knowledge of where to go later in life when they needed him. I certainly could have used his wisdom along the way. lol.
It was almost impossible to choose only ten. I marked so many that I finally stopped marking and just read. You could literally mark every single passage, he says nothing irrelevant. I loved the opening section in which he states what he learned from each of the important people in his life. I thought "that is something I should do" and perhaps I will.
Wonderful review, Sara! I especially like "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts," but these are all little gold nuggets of wisdom.
There are dozens of others, Libby. Not a book one should miss reading.
I plan on reading this sometime this year but your review makes me want to bump it up soon. I always thought Stoics adopted essentially the philosophy we ascribe to the word meaning enduring hardship with a stiff upper lip. But a daily reader about Stoicism and the ideas they practiced that I read last year changed my view. A quote from a famous stoic was included every day and then a couple of paragraphs by the author expanded on the idea. Marcus Aurelius was quoted often.
Laurie wrote: "I plan on reading this sometime this year but your review makes me want to bump it up soon. I always thought Stoics adopted essentially the philosophy we ascribe to the word meaning enduring hardsh..."The daily reader sounds quite interesting. I certainly changed my view of stoicism from reading this. I suppose I had a picture of someone who might even seek out the harder path, but absolutely would have associated the movement with never showing an emotion. Aurelius was very different from what I had imagined.
I never considered reading this book but your review has convinced me. Thank you Sara :)
Jaidee- I saw your update for this then continued to read reviews. I am going to add this. So, thanks Jaidee for bringing this to my attention and thanks to Sara for brining it to his.
Jaidee and Melanie--This book was a surprise for me and one everyone should read. Enjoy!
Having seen quotes throughout the years, I've always wanted to read it. Thanks for your inspiring review.
I was torn about which quotes to include. I gave up marking them because every page contained one or more. Do read it when you get the time, Cathrine.
Great review Kathleen! I had the same thought about how it should be required reading in the schools after I read it.
Fabulous review Sara. I just stumbled across this one and reading your review has convinced me to add 💖
I think you will be amazed at how relevant this is today. I'll look for your review to come.
This is such a wonderful review Sara, I agree with everyting you have written. I also agree this is a work to be savoured, enjoyed slowly - when it takes your fancy. You know, I went through your 10 quotes and was going to refer to one or the other - but they are all so good and reply-worthy, as is all of this work as you say. I am so glad you're a fan of one of the best Emperors - terrific stuff 😊👌
One of the reasons I like to do challenges. This was one that I found that way. I'd heard of it, of course, but never suspected it would be so interesting and relevant on a personal level. Now when someone poses the question of who you would like to have dinner with, alive or dead, I think Marcus Aurelius would be a great choice.
Sara wrote: "One of the reasons I like to do challenges. This was one that I found that way. I'd heard of it, of course, but never suspected it would be so interesting and relevant on a personal level. Now when..."Yes I agree with that Sara - he would be fascinating to sit down with - I'd like to ask him the open question re his views on Christians and whether he did in fact persecute them. Dangerous question I know - perhaps we should wait until he's drunk and sleepy and then sneak out if it appears he took offence? Out of them all though - my favourite is Ragin' Trajan :)) Good stuff hey?
Absolutely the best stuff! I'll just lurk in the shadows while you put the questions to him. 😁
I also really liked this.
Lynn wrote: "I also really liked this."One of those pleasant surprises.
🤣🤣......Even if I refer to it as "Sara's question"?
Mark wrote: "🤣🤣......Even if I refer to it as "Sara's question"?"You wouldn't dare. 😯
Some marvelous quotes to think about. This will be a high priority next year. 🤗
You are sure to appreciate it, Lori.
