The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Oxford World's Classics)

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The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Oxford World's Classics)

Editorial Review

A. S. L. Farquharson's translation was originally published in 1944, as part of a major commentary on Marcus Aurelius' work. In this volume, Farquharson's work is brought up to date and supplied with an introduction and notes for the student and general reader. A selection of lively letters from Marcus to his tutor Fronto, most of which date from his earlier years, is also included.

One measure, perhaps, of a book's worth, is its intergenerational pliancy: do new readers acquire it and interpret it afresh down through the ages? The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, translated and introduced by Gregory Hays, by that standard, is very worthwhile, indeed. Hays suggests that its most recent incarnation--as a self-help book--is not only valid, but may be close to the author's intent. The book, which Hays calls, fondly, a "haphazard set of notes," is indicative of the role of philosophy among the ancients in that it is "expected to provide a 'design for living.'" And it does, both aphoristically ("Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what's left and live it properly.") and rhetorically ("What is it in ourselves that we should prize?"). Whether these, and other entries ("Enough of this wretched, whining monkey life.") sound life-changing or like entries in a teenager's diary is up to the individual reader, as it should be. Hays's introduction, which sketches the life of Marcus Aurelius (emperor of Rome A.D. 161-180) as well as the basic tenets of stoicism, is accessible and jaunty. --H. O'Billovich

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
• I bet even Marcus Aurelius would like this translation.
  "And you can also commit an injustice by doing nothing." -- Marcus Aurelius, from Meditations
  My sister loves this book, but I was never able to get into it until I found this translation. Marcus Aurelius wrote this for his own usage - it was never intended for publication, much less being seen by others. It was something he was writing in uncertain times, and it's an intimate view of a man searching for peace and self-mastery.
  This grace and immediacy did not come across well in previous, more... more info
• Profound!
  I bought this a couple of years ago and my copy is full of markings and is getting quite ragged now!
  I never find a situation upon which this wise man did not speak. Very nice work!
  I do know a fair bit of Greek but I have still enjoyed Prof. Hays' translation. I'd recommend a copy to every young graduate you know!
• Emperor of Rome and himself
  If you think you cannot have at the same time a complicated job and
  peace of spirit, if you think your job is too demanding, if you think
  your house is a chaos that inevitably makes your nerves explode...if
  you think some of that, then you should read Marcus Aurelius
  Meditations. He was for twenty years emperor of one of the largest
  empires that have ever existed, dealing with intrigues, Rome, wars
  at the borders....and he was also a master of himself, living in calm, more info
• The Hays translation: interesting and readable.
  Those turned off by older translations of "Meditations" containing all the "thys" and "thous" (as I was) need wait no longer....Gregory Hays has saved the day.
  This is an excellent and very readable version of the ancient Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius' personal notebooks and musings, and it can be extremely valuable to the inner seeker.
  Personal responsiblity in every aspect of life is emphasized, as is the acceptance of death and the position that we are free to leave this Earth whenever we... more info

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