By Marcus Aurelius
I wanted/expected to like this more than I did. That’s not to say that it was a bad thing to read, but other Stoicism resources were better. One thing that I did take away from it was the value of journaling. Perhaps more value than taking any thoughts away from Marcus Aurelius, the really valuable thing would be to spend similar time reflecting on my beliefs and aligning my behavior and thinking with my values.
I was surprised how much he reiterated the impermanence of everything. I’m interest to learn more about the historical context of his life.
Highlights copied from Kindle:
Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 678-689
He who is greedy of credit and reputation after his death, doth not consider, that they themselves by whom he is remembered, shall soon after every one of them be dead; and they likewise that succeed those; until at last all memory, which hitherto by the succession of men admiring and soon after dying hath had its course, be quite extinct. But suppose that both they that shall remember thee, and thy memory with them should be immortal, what is that to thee? I will not say to thee after thou art dead; but even to thee living, what is thy praise? But only for a secret and politic consideration, which we call οἰκονομίαν, or dispensation. For as for that, that it is the gift of nature, whatsoever is commended in thee, what might be objected from thence, let that now that we are upon another consideration be omitted as unseasonable. That which is fair and goodly, whatsoever it be, and in what respect soever it be, that it is fair and goodly, it is so of itself, and terminates in itself, not admitting praise as a part or member: that therefore which is praised, is not thereby made either better or worse. This I understand even of those things, that are commonly called fair and good, as those which are commended either for the matter itself, or for curious workmanship. As for that which is truly good, what can it stand in need of more than either justice or truth; or more than either kindness and modesty? Which of all those, either becomes good or fair, because commended; or dispraised suffers any damage? Doth the emerald become worse in itself, or more vile if it be not commended? Doth gold, or ivory, or purple? Is there anything that doth though never so common, as a knife, a flower, or a tree?
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 705-711
They will say commonly, Meddle not with many things, if thou wilt live cheerfully. Certainly there is nothing better, than for a man to confine himself to necessary actions; to such and so many only, as reason in a creature that knows itself born for society, will command and enjoin. This will not only procure that cheerfulness, which from the goodness, but that also, which from the paucity of actions doth usually proceed. For since it is so, that most of those things, which we either speak or do, are unnecessary; if a man shall cut them off, it must needs follow that he shall thereby gain much leisure, and save much trouble, and therefore at every action a man must privately by way of admonition suggest unto himself, What? may not this that now I go about, be of the number of unnecessary actions? Neither must he use himself to cut off actions only, but thoughts and imaginations also, that are unnecessary for so will unnecessary consequent actions the better be prevented and cut off.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 717-718
To comprehend all in a few words, our life is short; we must endeavour to gain the present time with best discretion and justice. Use recreation with sobriety.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 744-745
for so shalt thou not easily be tired out and vexed, if thou shalt not dwell upon small matters longer than is fitting.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 792-803
Let it be thy perpetual meditation, how many physicians who once looked so grim, and so theatrically shrunk their brows upon their patients, are dead and gone themselves. How many astrologers, after that in great ostentation they had foretold the death of some others, how many philosophers after so many elaborate tracts and volumes concerning either mortality or immortality; how many brave captains and commanders, after the death and slaughter of so many; how many kings and tyrants, after they had with such horror and insolency abused their power upon men’s lives, as though themselves had been immortal; how many, that I may so speak, whole cities both men and towns: Helice, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and others innumerable are dead and gone. Run them over also, whom thou thyself, one after another, hast known in thy time to drop away. Such and such a one took care of such and such a one’s burial, and soon after was buried himself. So one, so another: and all things in a short time. For herein lieth all indeed, ever to look upon all worldly things, as things for their continuance, that are but for a day: and for their worth, most vile, and contemptible, as for example, What is man? That which but the other day when he was conceived was vile snivel; and within few days shall be either an embalmed carcass, or mere ashes. Thus must thou according to truth and nature, throughly consider how man’s life is but for a very moment of time, and so depart meek and contented: even as if a ripe olive falling should praise the ground that bare her, and give thanks to the tree that begat her. XL.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 812-813
whatsoever it is that hath happened unto thee, is in very deed no such thing of itself, as a misfortune; but that to bear it generously, is certainly great happiness.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Note on Location 823 | Added on Thursday, December 4, 2025 10:27:29 AM I struggled with the first three books but I found good stuff in book 4.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 947-948
Wheresoever thou mayest live, there it is in thy power to live well and happy.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1009-1010
Why should imprudent unlearned souls trouble that which is both learned, and prudent?
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1046-1046
The best kind of revenge is, not to become like unto them.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1233-1235
Dost thou grieve that thou dost weigh but so many pounds, and not three hundred rather? Just as much reason hast thou to grieve that thou must live but so many years, and not longer. For as for bulk and substance thou dost content thyself with that proportion of it that is allotted unto thee, so shouldst thou for time.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1248-1249
That which is not good for the bee-hive, cannot be good for the bee.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1570-1571
This life is short. Both he that praiseth, and he that is praised; he that remembers, and he that is remembered, will soon be dust and ashes.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1633-1635
Let not thy mind wander up and down, and heap together in her thoughts the many troubles and grievous calamities which thou art as subject unto as any other. But as everything in particular doth happen, put this question unto thyself, and say: What is it that in this present matter, seems unto thee so intolerable? For thou wilt be ashamed to confess it.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1635-1636
Then upon this presently call to mind, that neither that which is future, nor that which is past can hurt thee; but that only which is present.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1640-1641
And when all is done, what is all this for, but for a mere bag of blood and corruption?
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1670-1671
If therefore it be a thing external that causes thy grief, know, that it is not that properly that doth cause it, but thine own conceit and opinion concerning the thing: which thou mayest rid thyself of, when thou wilt.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1717-1718
it might not be in another man’s power to make me unhappy: which nothing now can do but mine own wickedness.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1727-1728
All men are made one for another: either then teach them better, or bear with them.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1773-1774
He that sinneth, sinneth unto himself. He that is unjust, hurts himself, in that he makes himself worse than he was before.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1818-1819
it is not thine, but another man’s sin. Why should it trouble thee? Let him look to it, whose sin it is.
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1866-1869
how many there be, who never so much as heard of thy name, how many that will soon forget it; how many who but even now did commend thee, within a very little while perchance will speak ill of thee. So that neither fame, nor honour, nor anything else that this world doth afford, is worth the while. The sum then of all; whatsoever doth happen unto thee, whereof God is the cause, to accept it contentedly:
========== Meditations (Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius) – Your Highlight on Location 1939-1940
Unto him that is a man, thou hast done a good turn: doth not that suffice thee? What thy nature required, that hast thou done. Must thou be rewarded for it? ==========
Meditations is a collection of personal notes Marcus Aurelius wrote to himself, not a systematic philosophy text. Its core messages come from Stoicism, especially the ideas of Epictetus. The key themes can be summarized as follows:
1. Focus on What You Can Control
The most important distinction in the book is between:
- What is under your control (your judgments, intentions, actions)
- What is not (other people, events, outcomes)
Peace of mind comes from directing your energy only toward the former and accepting the latter without complaint.
2. Live According to Reason and Nature
Marcus repeatedly urges himself to:
- Act rationally, not emotionally
- Align his behavior with human nature as a social and rational animal
- Do what is appropriate to the situation without ego or excess
For him, “nature” means both the order of the universe and the role humans play within it.
3. Practice Virtue Above All Else
External success—status, wealth, reputation, even life itself—is ultimately insignificant. The only true good is virtue, especially:
- Wisdom
- Justice
- Courage
- Self-control
A good life is defined by good character, not favorable circumstances.
4. Accept Impermanence and Death
Marcus frequently reminds himself that:
- Everything changes
- Everything fades
- Death is natural and inevitable
By contemplating impermanence, he reduces fear, resentment, and attachment, and gains clarity about what truly matters.
5. Respond Calmly to Difficulty and Insult
You cannot stop others from being ignorant, rude, or unjust—but you can:
- Choose not to be harmed by their behavior
- Refuse to respond with anger or bitterness
- Treat others with patience and understanding
Your reaction, not the event, determines your inner state.
6. Do Your Duty Without Seeking Praise
Marcus emphasizes:
- Doing the right thing quietly
- Not craving recognition or approval
- Letting actions speak for themselves
Virtue is its own reward; external validation is fleeting and unreliable.
7. Remember Your Place in the Larger Whole
He often zooms out to a cosmic perspective:
- You are a small part of a vast universe
- Individual troubles are minor in the grand scheme
- Everything is interconnected and governed by reason (logos)
This perspective helps reduce ego, anxiety, and self-importance.