Meditations: A New Translation (Modern Library)

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I read the Gregory Hays translation published in 2002 twice and then I recently finished the forthcoming 2021 translation by Robin Waterfield.

One of the most important books on Western philosophy - a powerful and inspirational guide for the complicated world of today. Through this collection of aphorisms and thoughts we can still read about his daily musings and stoic philosophy of life. Most of my quotes come from the highly acclaimed translation by Gregory Hays in the book shown to the right.He always strived to become better, acutely aware of the responsibilities that lay on him and of the people's expectations, trying to meet them all. That I didn't lose my virginity too early, and didn't enter adulthood until it was time-put it off, even. The main positive for me is that this was actually written by a Roman emperor, which puts the reader in his mind and thoughts. In Gregory Hays's new translation--the first in thirty-five years--Marcus's thoughts speak with a new immediacy.

Both Russell and Rees find an element of Marcus' Stoic philosophy in the philosophical system of Immanuel Kant. This was not meant for publication and doesn’t seem like a straightforward diary, but it has been in modern times considered a self-help book.

What surprised me so much about the personal diary of an ancient Roman emperor written nearly two thousand years ago is that I understood what Marcus Aurelius felt. His fingers caressed the smooth leather of the binding as he took it back and slipped it under the breadbox.

By 1568, when Xylander completed his second edition, he no longer had access to the source and it has been lost ever since. It is 50 pages of unbroken and dense text, making it difficult to start and stop, and even harder to continue.I read this version on your recommendation after attempting another version a few years back (after seeing Gladiator, of course). Don’t read the introduction…as a new reader I find it difficult to keep reading or to simply pick up a book when I find it boring or a waste of my time. He claims that the only way a man can be harmed by others is to allow his reaction to overpower him. It‘s such a unique comforting feeling, reading the thoughts of a young roman emporer and relating to them. Thou wilt die soon and thou are not yet simple nor free from perturbations, nor without suspicion of being hurt by external things, nor kindly disposed towards all; nor dost thou yet place wisdom only in acting justly.

That whenever I felt like helping someone who was short of money, or otherwise in need, I never had to be told that I had no resources to do it with.In Gregory Hays's new translation--the first in a generation--Marcus's thoughts speak with a new immediacy: never before have they been so directly and powerfully presented. This final quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is another affirmation I like to imagine Marcus reading every day before the daily business of ruling his empire. No bathing at strange hours, no self-indulgent building projects, no concern for food, or the cut and color of his clothes, or having attractive slaves. As I’ve said before, if you’re going to read it, you absolutely have to go with the Gregory Hays translation. Just a quick heads up of a few broken things: the image at the top of this interview doesn’t exist and the link to this article on https://ryanholiday.