Send us Fan Mail

Marcus Aurelius was the Roman Emperor from 161AD to 180AD. He was also a Stoic and a Philosopher. He was the last of the “Five Good Emperors” of Rome. He was adopted by Antoninus, who was the successor of Hadrian. 

Marcus Aurelius had no intention of publishing Meditations. The book was a journal to himself to explore the concepts of self discipline, justice, courage, and wisdom. He speaks of shortcomings, dealing with anger and emotions, and learning to become your potential. 

Meditations a new translation by Gregory Hays and Modern Library

Book 1

1. My Grandfather: Character and self-control
2. My Father: Integrity and manliness
3. My Mother: Her reverence for the divine, her generosity, her inability not only to do wrong but even to conceive of doing it. And the simple way she lived - not in the least like the rich.
4. My Great-Grandfather: To avoid the public schools, to hire good private teachers, and to accept the resulting costs as money well-spent. 

Book 3

1. How to act: 
   1. Never under compulsion, out of selfishness, without forethought, with misgivings.
   2. Don’t gussy up your thoughts.
   3. No surplus words or unnecessary actions. 
   4. Let the spirit in you represent a man, an adult, a citizen, a Roman, a ruler. Taking up his post like a soldier and patiently awaiting his recall from life. Needing no oath or witness.
   5. Cheerfulness. Without requiring other people’s help. Or serenity supplied by others.
   6. To stand up straight - not straightened. 

Book 4 

1. 3. Overall message is that in order to be happy you need to learn to go inward, it is your perception that makes you happy.
   1. “Things have no hold on the soul. They stand there unmoving outside it. Disturbance comes only from within - from our own perceptions.” – Compare this to IFS and how the Self is not harmed, nor carries burdens. 
2. “If you seek tranquility, do less.” Or (more accurately) do what’s essential - what the logos of a social being requires, and in the requisite way. Which brings a double satisfaction: to do less, better. 

Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquility. Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?” 

But we need to eliminate unnecessary assumptions as well. To eliminate the unnecessary actions that follow. 

Book 8

1. Remember: you shouldn’t be surprised that a fig tree produces figs, nor the world what it produces. A good doctor isn’t surprised when his patients have fevers.
2. Stop perceiving the pain you imagine and you’ll remain completely unaffected. (cognitive distortions at work here)

Book 9

1. Leave other people’s mistakes where they lie.

Book 11

1. Have I done something for the common good? Then I share in the benefits. 

To stay centered on that. Not to give up. 

Book 12

1. Throw out your misperceptions and you’ll be fine. And who’s stopping you from throwing them out?