A New Translation By Marcus Aurelius – A New Translation: Empower Your Life With Roman Wisdom In Marcus Aurelius' Timeless Work (2024)

FAQs

Which Marcus Aurelius translation is best? ›

Gregory Hays

This is the most popular modern translation of the Meditations. It's concise but very engaging and accessible, written in a style well-suited to lay readers. All translators have to choose between being more literal or being more readable.

"Meditations: The Annotated Edition" by Marcus Aurelius, Robin Waterfield (translator) The translation of "Meditations" by Robin Waterfield is highly recommended for several reasons. Waterfield, known for his expertise translating Greek history and philosophy, provides an excellent rendition of Marcus Aurelius' work.

Simple — think of how you can best help the “common good.” Marcus Aurelius reminds himself: “Avoid all actions that are haphazard or purposeless; and secondly, let every action aim solely at the common good.” To be a honorable and purposeful human being is to help others. To help others not as fortunate as us.

Marcus is most famous today, however, as the author of the Meditations, a personal collection of his reflections on applying Stoic philosophy to his life. It is one of the most widely-read classics of self-improvement ever written.

I would normally recommend that most people begin by reading The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. That's traditionally the most widely read book on Stoicism. The most readable modern translations is by Gregory Hayes, although the modern Robin Hard version is also excellent and provides a more literal translation.

Bill Clinton — The former president reads Marcus Aurelius's Meditations every year. You can read more in this New York Times story. Theodore Roosevelt — Theodore Roosevelt, one of history's most resilient leaders, brought Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius on his deadly “River of Doubt” expedition.

Yes, you should read it. Marcus Aurelius's Meditations serves as both a compact treatise on living a happier, more virtuous life and an excellent introduction to Stoic philosophy.

Of the big three (Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus), Epictetus is the most preachy and for many, the least fun to read.

Five of the main themes in this book are: change, death and the shortness of life; the role and importance of the rational mind and will; dealing with others and accepting their shortcomings; avoiding the chase for pleasure and fame; and living according to nature and fully accepting its course.

Atticus was an inveterate opponent of Stoicism and philosophic pretensions. He thought the Stoics' desire for apatheia was foolish: they would live a 'sluggish, enervated life', he said. In spite of the influence of Atticus, Marcus would later become a Stoic.

What was Marcus Aurelius famous quote in Latin? ›

Enjoy a few more examples of Marcus Aurelius' Latin quotes on this subject: "Mors nobis omnibus arridet, hom*o omnis hoc risum lenem redeuntem facere potest." Translation: "Death smiles to us all, all a man can do is just smile back." "Non habes erga teipsum reverentiam, et in aliorum cordibus pones felicitatem tuam."

Marcus was forever proposing to himself unattainable goals of conduct, forever contemplating the triviality, brutishness, and transience of the physical world and of humanity in general and himself in particular; otherworldly, yet believing in no other world, he was therefore tied to duty and service with no hope, even ...

Aurelius also believed that people should focus on the present. He advises, “do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.” The future is something outside of our control, so we shouldn't worry about it.

On the course of life itself, Marcus Aurelius reminds himself of the importance of living in the moment, but not clinging to any moment which has passed. Be not disturbed about the future, for if ever you come to it, you will have the same reason for your guide, which preserves you at present.

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