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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Video Review: http://bookvim.com/2009/07/meditations-by-marcus-aurelius-7-lessons-from-a-roman-emperor-review-chapter-20/ |
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“Timeless wisdom. One of the top two or three books I've ever read.”
Chris K wrote this review 17 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Some nice quotes, some useful advices, some additional thoughts, beneath a handful of expired orthodox guidelines. Just like what is expected of an epicurean!”
Anthropomorphic wrote this review Sunday, November 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“One of the great classics, a must read”
foggytown wrote this review Saturday, November 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Timeless. ”
Joel G wrote this review Friday, November 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Sort of a classical self-help book!”
Alejandro G wrote this review Tuesday, October 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Absolutely indispensable read”
Leedom Meldeo E wrote this review Tuesday, September 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Video Review: http://bookvim.com/2009/07/meditations-by-marcus-aurelius-7-lessons-from-a-roman-emperor-review-chapter-20/
BookVIM.com - Miguel Mayher wrote this review Monday, July 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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Meditations is a book that doesn't age.
Written almost two millennia ago, it is today just as relevant as in the times of Roman splendor it was written.
Marcus Aurelius was an emperor with a hard life: his wife died, his relationship with some was troublesome, he endured war during most of his reign. During his 50s, he decided to write a code for living a good life, a sort of self-prescription for proper living as a human being. The result is one of the most cherished volumes of Stoic philosophy ever written. Little did he know that posterity would regard him through this manuscript, and if he lived according to his meditations - little did he care.
Here are the top lessons I gathered from him:
1 Live as your nature requires, as your true Self demands.
2 The impermanence and repetitiveness of all things.
3 Brake things down to make them graspable, to see them as they are.
4 You only live now, this brief instant, go within, live through simple actions.
5 Accept whatever happens outside your circle of influence.
6 Pay close attention to your thoughts: your soul takes on their color.
7 Observe others attentively to determine what worthy behavior looks like.
I have re-read Meditations many times. It was written from a state of presence, every time you go through its passages you are taken to that place of presence. The content is expressed over and over again in a simple ways - it is the underlying depth it was created from that makes it timeless.
This was my favorite read of 2008.
I whole-heartedly recommend it.
PS: Gregory Hays' translation seems to be the easiest to connect with.”
“A brilliant insight into late Roman thinking and the life of an intelligent and often barbaric Emperor. These meditations let you into the mind of a European over 1500 years ago.”
John A wrote this review Wednesday, July 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I read Marcus daily and have for years. Works for me!”
David B wrote this review Tuesday, June 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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Stas Sajin wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
