Book Summary:
Meditations is a collection of thoughts written by the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. It’s one of the books frequently mentioned by people interested in stoicism and contains a ton of ageless advice.
Related Book Summaries:
A Guide to the Good Life – William B. Irvine – Book Summary
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind – Shunryu Suzuki – Book Summary
Quotes:
You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.
Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.
The best revenge is not to be like that.
Book Summary Notes:
- Marcus Aurelius was the last of the ‘Five Good Emperors’ that ruled over Rome in the second century AD. He was considered a philosopher and heavily based his thinking on the greek stoics, a group who viewed self-control and calmness as a way of overcoming negative emotions.
- Death is inevitable and should not be feared. It is useless to fear the inevitable.
- Life is too short to waste time complaining.
- Any event in life can be either good or bad, depending on how you choose to view it.
