Meditations
Marcus Aurelius, 180
A Roman emperor's private notebook, written on campaign. Short, blunt reminders to himself about anger, death and other people's opinions, which read like advice addressed to you.
Marcus Aurelius
121–180
Marcus never meant these notes for readers. The first printed edition appeared in Zurich in 1558, almost fourteen centuries after his death.
Feels like serenity, morality and death.
Being cursed at, and staying as clear as running water.
‘They kill me, they cut my flesh; they persecute my person with curses.’ What then? May not thy mind for all this continue pure, prudent, temperate, just? As a fountain of sweet and clear water, though she be cursed by some stander by, yet do her springs nevertheless still run as sweet and clear as before; yea though either dirt or dung be thrown in, yet is it no sooner thrown, than dispersed, and she cleared. She cannot be dyed or infected by it. What then must I do, that I may have within myself an overflowing fountain, and not a well? Beget thyself by continual pains and endeavours to true liberty with charity, and true simplicity and modesty. Books by Marcus Aurelius
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