Penguin Great Ideas

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View books by Marcus Aurelius.

Simple, essential, humanistic - Rated
In todays world, someone may think that this book talk about obvious things that we all know from everyday life. But how many of us is realy concentrated about, thinking and annalize about those simple thoughts? And how many of us give the importance about those short but essentials thinking? Who of us will stop in middle of a big city or walking among the beach and try to think just like Aurelius or Seneca did? Everybody is todays life is on a rush, about job and other things in our digitally-enhanced and video-saturated age. And consider thought from the ancient world "already" examined. But the truth is from the ancient wisdom (might be Greek, Hindu, Tibetan) have a truly essence of truth about us and about how we see the world around us. Yu may not like this book, so then take some book of Dalai Lama. You will find there the same principle about how to make your life simpler, easier and without inner struggle.

The First "Green" Emperor - Rated
"Green", that is, in the sense that Marcus was a keen recycler of ideas. This book is filled with short paragraphs (1, 2 or 3 sentences) of Gladiator's favourite emperor's wisdom. Unfortunately, throughout the book, each of those paragraphs encapsulates only about five extremely basic notions. There isn't much variation, simply different ways of saying the same thing. And despite there being only five thoughts in the book, a couple at least are contradictory, namely 1) "in a short time you'll be dead and your existence at a universal level won't have mattered one jot" and 2) "you should strive to do your best while alive" (why does it matter?). Having said that, you should buy it - it's only a few quid after all - read the first chapter or three and then find something more profound to read instead.

Startlingly beautiful thinking... - Rated
Some books are not meant to be read in one go, gulping them down like you might a jug of water. Instead, some books need the reader to stop after every few sentences and reflect on what they read in the context of their own lives. Those books that deserve to be digested slowly over a prolonged time, provide something to the reader that great literature has at its aim always: inner wisdom.

Aurelius was one of The Five Good Emperors of Rome who spent most of his life at war in some form or another. It is strange then, that he should write this book (originally written in Greek, admirably translated in this version) of Stoic philosophy, that seems to support a position of peace, a study of the 'liberal arts' and to advocate a life of inner discovery. His arrogance - hey, he was Emperor, not a Saint - sometimes shows through, but is strangely tempered by a humility that is disarming at first. For example, this version of his work has emblazoned upon its cover one of his more memorable quotes: "A little flesh, a little breath, and a reason to rule all - that is myself".

At first some of his thoughts can seem 'obvious' or 'glib', but that misses the point. It is the sum of the work that is greater than the parts.

If you rush this work, it will feel as shallow as any modern self-help book. Give it respect, understanding and most importantly the time it needs, and you can discover that something beautiful is hidden in his thinking.

Hardly a classic - Rated
A series of disconnected, short bullet points on life (literally seldom longer than 5 to 6 lines). No order, no structure, and therefore not a great work. Some of the points are of interest, but nothing more that the average person in the street could jot down in a notebook over a week or two.

Just because it was written 1800 years ago doesn't make it profound, or of great import. Read somebody like Seneca, on the shortness of life ,(in the same series) for a much more organised approach to philosophy.

Marcus Aurelius; Meditations - Rated
A truly profound book. Packed solid with the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Philosopher. As poignant now as it was then, around 1,800 years ago. It will improve your view of life, people and many things. In short; it will make you think about how to be a better person.