Originally written only for his personal consumption, Marcus Aurelius's Meditations has become a key text in the understanding of Roman Stoic philosophy. This Penguin Classics edition is translated with notes by Martin Hammond and an introduction by Diskin Clay.
Written in Greek by an intellectual Roman emperor without any intention of publication, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius offer a wide range of fascinating spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the leader struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Spanning from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation, they cover such diverse topics as the question of virtue, human rationality, the nature of the gods and Aurelius's own emotions. But while the Meditations were composed to provide personal consolation, in developing his beliefs Marcus also created one of the greatest of all works of philosophy: a series of wise and practical aphorisms that have been consulted and admired by statesmen, thinkers and ordinary readers for almost two thousand years.
Martin Hammond's new translation fully expresses the intimacy and eloquence of the original work, with detailed notes elucidating the text. This edition also includes an introduction by Diskin Clay, exploring the nature and development of the Meditations, a chronology, further reading and full indexes.
Marcus Aelius Aurelius Antoninus (121-80) was adopted by the emperor Antoninus Pius and succeeded him in 161, (as joint emperor with adoptive brother Lucius Verus). He ruled alone from 169, and spent much of his reign in putting down various rebellions, and was a persecutor of Christians. His fame rest, above all, on his Meditations, a series of reflections, strongly influenced by Epictetus, which represent a Stoic outlook on life. He was succeeded by his natural son, thus ending the period of the adoptive emperors.
If you enjoyed Meditations, you might like Seneca's Letters from a Stoic, also available in Penguin Classics.
Medlemsvurdering:
Marcus Aurelius omtales som den siste av de "fem gode keisere". De var kjente for sin moderate politikk og rettferdig styring. Meditasjoner ble skrevet mens keiseren var på tokt mellom år 170-180 for selvforbedringens skyld. Men dette er ingen dagbok. Som det fornuftige mennesket skriver Aurelius meget lite personlig og i all ydmykhet.
Stoicismen er basis for Aurelius sine tanker og mål. Selvkontroll, psykologisk uavhengighet og troen på fornuften er sentrale elementer. Aurelius oppmuntrer (seg selv og andre) til å vise respekt for naturens og universets gang, og ikke la frykt eller avsky ta kontroll over oss. Fred fins bare i oss selv og bare når vi kan befri oss fra lidenskap og søker visdom og rettferdighet. Målet med livet er kun det å gjøre det ens egen natur vil, og tjene samfunnet. I det hele tatt, Meditations er rett og slett mange gode og tidsløse råd. Ikke minst er de aktuelle i dagens individualistiske, og nesten litt for selvgode, samfunn.
