I ricordi

In many important ways, the reflections of Marcus Aurelius (121 AD-180 AD) crystallize the philosophical wisdom of the Greco-Roman world. This little book was written as a diary to himself while emperor fighting a war out on the boarder of the Roman Empire and today this book is known to us as The M Leggi tutto

This basically consists of Marcus Aurelius repeating, "Get it together, Marcus" to himself over and over again over the course of 12 chapters. SPOILER ALERT: -The time during which you are alive is very very brief compared to the time during which you did not exist and will not exist. -People who wro Leggi tutto

Look within: do not allow the special quality or worth of anything to pass you by. I love this quote and I love the wisdom that runs through this book. It’s such a simple idea and it is also a very true one. Make the most of everything and everyone, of every situation and chance that life

Marcus gives us wise advice about using the Internet, particularly social networking sites: “...because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you'll have more time and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, is this necessary…” He shares his opinions on the wor Leggi tutto

„Lasă deoparte cărţile! Nu te mai chinui...” (II: 2)„Înlătură setea de cărţi, ca să nu mori cîrtind, ci cu adevărat senin şi recunoscător din toată inima zeilor” (II: 3). Cînd Marcus Aurelius notează acest îndemn ciudat (cel puțin pentru cititorul de astăzi), el se gîndește, de fapt, la un singur om: Leggi tutto

Someone lent me this because they thought it might help me feel better/change my thinking. I was like sure I'll give it a chance but like sorry to say it did nothing. I feel as though many of the things in there that might be helpful are things I've already gotten elsewhere by this point or attitude Leggi tutto

“Love only what falls your way and is fated to you. What could suit you more than that?” “Even if you were destined to live three thousand years, or ten times that long, nevertheless remember that no one loses any life other than the one he lives, or lives any life other than the one he loses…No one Leggi tutto

It's, of course, completely ridiculous to rate a nearly 2000 year old journal by a Roman emperor who never intended it to be read. As a book experience, the repetition of Aurelius's thoughts can be frustrating (the excellent introduction in this volume provides context for it, and for the concept of Leggi tutto