Meditations - Marcus Aurelius

Finished: 2023-07-15

Rating: 4.5/5

Review:

The book is a testament to the behavior of the human-kind as individuals. It illustrates information that you likely already understand but re-affirms it through careful selection of verbiage and affirmations. Human-kind generally understand what is necessary to be done, but often times does not take in careful consideration of the situation or object. Utilizing the tools presented throughout this book you will likely be able to slow your thought process and select the best choices for your current and future self.

1. Book One
• Explains the value in education.
• Demonstrates the importance of self-control, and to strive for moderation.
• One of my favorite quotes, not captured in this book "Live life in moderation, even moderation".
• Humans should follow certain virtues in order to lead a righteous life.
2. Book Two
• Do not be angry with others, each of us is share in the divine nature.
• Do not allow emotions to move your decision making, each branching choice should be calculable.
• Focus in every moment and calm yourself to relieve the emotional aspect of your thoughts.
3. Book Three
• Keep your mind sharp, even if you live a long life your mind may lose it's grasp.
• There is beauty to witness in the small details of all that resides in nature.
• All must disembark from the journey of life, even the greatest must continue on, live with grace.
4. Book Four
• Peace can be found in nature, but true peace is found within.
• The path to ruin is through destruction of character.
5. Book Five
• This book highlights the human condition, existence and the obligation to the world.
• Human obligation to create the world in the way that you see it most bountiful and beautiful.
• There is a duality in pleasure and pain in order to truly enjoy one you must experience the other.
6. Book Six
• Anxiety is a useless feeling as the world is inherently random.
• If the world is orderly take faith that the world will remain orderly.
7. Book Seven
• Take the occurence of change as a positive thing as useful accomplishments and enjoyment require change.
• Consider the actions of others over time rather than coming to a hasteful conclusion.
• Confine yourself to the present. Understand well what happens to you or another.
8. Book Eight
• Do not resist death, it is another natural stage of life.
• The gods are patient with people so why can you not be?
9. Book Nine
• He who does wrong does wrong against himself.
• If you are able, set yourself in motion and do not look to see if anyone else is watching.
10. Book Ten
• Man will always long for what that which he does not have, instead of appreciating that which he does have.
• Whether something is "endurable" or not do not complain, either you'll be destroyed or your mind will make it endurable.
11. Book Eleven
• A rational soul can make of itself whatever it wants. Care for your neighbors, be truthful, humble, and just.
• Be indifferent to that which you can not control. Understand things as they are through carefully pulling apart the layers.
12. Book Twelve
• Forget the past and trust god with the future. Accept the present as it is and act as you should.
• Do not be afraid of death, be afraid of not living properly.