Meditations
“The human soul wrongs itself when it allows itself to be overpowered by pleasure or pain” – Marcus Aurelius
For those who perhaps don’t know (or went to school long ago and forgot), Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was a Roman emperor in the period from 161 to 180 AD. He’s the last ruler from the period of Pax Romana (a period of almost 200 years of rise and stability of the Roman Empire, also known as the “golden age”), and Niccolò Machiavelli ranked him as one of the “Five Good Emperors.” He belonged to the school of Hellenistic philosophy known as Stoicism (whose founder was Zeno), so in history he’s mentioned as the “philosopher-emperor.”
As for defining Stoicism, I’d rather leave that for some other review, because we’ll be spending more time with Marcus Aurelius’s thoughts in the coming period, you’ll see… For now, I’d just tell you to read a bit about this philosophical direction and its meaning, as well as try to see how practical and good it is to learn for controlling your thoughts and actions. I think this is one of the thoughts that (perhaps) best describes Stoicism:
“Don’t debate what a good man should be, but rather be such yourself.”
During one of his military campaigns, Marcus Aurelius began writing down his thoughts, with the aim of providing himself support, comfort, but also perfecting himself as a person. The original title of the work was lost in the mists of time, but these twelve little books, unified into one work, are today most often encountered under the titles “Meditations,” “To Himself” or “Thoughts.” For the purposes of the review, we’ll use the most popular translation: “Meditations.”
“Remember how often you’ve postponed such things and how many times you haven’t used the opportunity the gods gave you. You must get to know the world of which you’re a part, the creator of the world whose reflection you are, and understand that your time is written. If you don’t use that time to become happy, it will disappear like you, and you won’t be able to return it.”
The work is divided into 12 chapters (books) and can be read in any order (only the first chapter is more biographical, where Marcus Aurelius introduces us to his origins, people close to him and what he learned from them and some of his general attitudes).
It’s somewhat of a thankless task to review certain classics, from any genre, but especially philosophy and psychology, because some of them change with our maturation. I’m aware that what I’ve written is more than logical, but I believe you can assume what I mean. Simply, there are some works that simply evolve with our maturation and reveal some new dimensions to us. “Meditations” is simply such a work, and it’s quite certain it won’t be the same in which period of life you read it.
But there’s a high probability that reading this work will greatly benefit you and bring you “grounding.”
“Don’t let what comes from outside distract you and free yourself to learn something good and to stop wandering. In this you must guard against another excess: those who toil and struggle their whole lives, but have no goal that would guide their desires and ideas, are fools.”
Many will say that most Western philosophers are boring and that it’s exhausting to read their works. However, Aurelius’s “Meditations” are clear, concise, and I’d even say largely in the form of aphorisms (and all these elements somehow, if historical records are to be believed, precisely went with this ruler’s character). In translation, they hit the essence.
“Cast away everything and keep only a few counsels. Keep in mind that everyone lives only in the present, in that small eternity, and that the rest is past or uncertain.”
Being a Stoic doesn’t mean being submissive, conciliatory, without ambitions or absence of emotions. Marcus Aurelius simply advocates the position of trying to “see things as they are.” Because everything happens for some reason, right?
“You’ve understood this, understand the following too! Someone errs? They err against themselves. Something befell you? Good: everything that’s happened to you from the beginning was fated and determined for you. In short, life is brief. Reap the fruits of the present, but thoughtfully and justly. Free yourself, relax, but remain sober.”
Simply, each reading of this book would always leave a great impression on me, but this last reading… I think I’ve come to some phase where I’m truly starting to somewhat understand the essence and meaning of some things, and how this is applicable to real life.
Somehow, I could call Stoicism “logical Zen.”
“The best way to avenge yourself is not to become like them.”
“Meditations” is a little book that requires a pencil or marker, whether you underline, mark parts or add your own comments.
This little book can (and should) accompany you throughout life and be a reminder in every aspect of your life (both private and professional), and especially in periods of some crises, upheavals and tensions that can overwhelm you.
“Do nothing hastily and don’t speak without thinking, don’t let your thoughts wander, don’t let your soul be led astray and watch that you don’t slip out of order: in life you shouldn’t lack time. They want to kill you, tear you apart, persecute you and curse you: how can your thought remain pure, sensible, serene, upright in that? Like when someone stops by a transparent and drinkable spring and defiles it. The spring, clearly, wouldn’t even notice and wouldn’t stop flowing; it would still be drinkable. If someone throws mud in it, or some other dirt, the spring will in a moment eject and wash it out and won’t be soiled. How to create an inexhaustible spring in yourself? Make yourself such that in every moment you’re free, but simultaneously also well-meaning, simple and humble.”
With barely 150 pages (and moreover the little book is smaller format), “Meditations” is a classic that must be read at least once, and especially if you’re interested in the Stoic approach to life. And moreover it’s considered one of the best works of Western philosophy.
As far as I’m concerned, some of Aurelius’s sayings quite “resonated” with me and as if I (re)read them at the right moment, because they greatly influenced some pieces in my life to fall nicely into place.
The book has always been on my “special shelf” and will definitely stay there forever.
Simply, for some books there’s no need for a long review, but simply recommend it be read and that’s it. 🙂
And such is precisely the little book “Meditations.” 🙂
And you, dear reader, what is your favorite thought of Marcus Aurelius? 🙂
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