Meditations: A New Translation 1St Edition Edition

by Marcus Aurelius (Author), Gregory Hays (Translator)

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ISBN-13: 978-0812968255

ISBN-10: 0812968255

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A new translation, with an Introduction, by Gregory Hays

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (a.d. 121–180) succeeded his adoptive father as emperor of Rome in a.d. 161—and Meditations remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. With a profound understanding of human behavior, Marcus provides insights, wisdom, and practical guidance on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity to interacting with others. Consequently, the Meditations have become required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style. In Gregory Hays’s new translation—the first in a generation—Marcus’s thoughts speak with a new immediacy: never before have they been so directly and powerfully presented.

Meditations: A New Translation

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

“Here, for our age, is [Marcus’s] great work presented in its entirety, strongly introduced and freshly, elegantly translated.” —Robert Fagles

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Product details

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Modern Library; 1St Edition edition (May 6, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0812968255
ISBN-13: 978-0812968255
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 1,621 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Philosophy > Ethics
- #4 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Philosophy > History & Surveys
- #6 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Greek & Roman

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A word of caution

ByNom de Bloomon July 23, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Amazon lumps different translations together as merely variations on how the book is delivered. In this case, the Hays translation is the hardcover, while the authors who translated the paperback and Kindle versions aren't specified. So use the tools available (look inside, free sample) to get an idea of the language used by the author and see if it's something you'd like to read, or if a different translation suits you better.

33 comments 257 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

It's worth trying different translations

Bydavidhmorganon September 25, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I don't know who did the translation for this one but I found it very difficult to follow. This prompted me to look around and I found another translation by George Long (Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus 1862). Even though it's not a recent translation, Long's version is often easier to understand. Compare the translations of the first paragraph for example:

This version:

Of my grandfather Verus I have learned to be gentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. From the fame and memory of him that begot me I have learned both shamefastness and manlike behaviour. Of my mother I have learned to be religious, and bountiful; and to forbear, not only to do, but to intend any evil; to content myself with a spare diet, and to fly all such excess as is incidental to great wealth. Of my great-grandfather, both to frequent public schools and auditories, and to get me good and able teachers at home; and that I ought not to think much, if upon such occasions, I were at excessive charges.

George Long's version:

From my grandfather Verus I learned good morals and the government of my temper. From the reputation and remembrance of my father, modesty and a manly character. From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but even from evil thoughts; and further, simplicity in my way of living, far removed from the habits of the rich. From my great-grandfather, not to have frequented public schools, and to have had good teachers at home, and to know that on such things a man should spend liberally.

Having said this however, it's still worth comparing both translations which are free on the Kindle.

2020 comments 546 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Meditations - 5stars

ByAlexon May 11, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard, accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.”

Before I get into details, I must say that reading Meditations was one of the hardest, but most rewarding experiences in my own personal growth. The book has done so much to ferment my prior beliefs and has helped a lot to broaden my mind and encourage me to be all that I can be.

It is very difficult in today’s world to believe in anything, whether it be divine beings, other people, or even ourselves. It is an epidemic that buries potential and love deep down and leaves anger and frustration to dictate life.

There is no reason to feel unhappy, unfulfilled, or unappreciated , and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius offers advice to anyone who is looking for self help, self love, and a rational way of directing life.

Before reading this book it is interesting to know the man that wrote it. Marcus Aurelius was the last of The Five Good Emperors of Ancient Rome. He took the title of Augustus after the death of his adopted father, Antoninus Pius, the adopted son of the late Emperor Hadrian.

However Marcus Aurelius had tried to pass on the emperorship, for he prefered a much more simple philosophic lifestyle. He accepted the honor with the sole demand that Lucius Verus, his adopted brother, would share the seat with him.

Sharing his seat of power is the one move that summarizes Marcus Aurelius’s entire life; the fear of power and the duty embedded in him through his interest in Stoicism, a philosophy that grounds itself on self-restraint, reason, and fate.

His work is a reflection of his life, and the words inscribed in Meditations are the product of his own thoughts and his own experiences. While reading this book good feelings will begin to surface through introspection, and in turn bad feelings will be expelled.

In my everyday life quotes from his book swim in my mind when I am met with difficult situations, and they enable me to make smarter more thought out and rational decisions. It is fascinating and rewarding each time I don’t simply act on impulse.

This book is not for entertainment, not for adventure, and it is definitely not a “light read.” It is a book that will help those who seek help, irritate those who don’t, and fascinate those who wish to learn and grow.

33 comments 149 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

An unbelievable value.

ByEva Hendersonon July 19, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

My first exposure to Marcus Aurelius was "Silence of the Lambs" (when Hanibal Lector quotes Aurelius to Clarice). I was intrigued. After reading Meditations, I was even more intrigued, and started buying copies for my friends. I have read Nietzche, Plato, Sartre. But this book tells it like it IS. Aurelius did not shy away from discussing topics we find too embarrassing today: from death to sex, perversity to honesty. This small volume is PACKED with life-giving, refreshing wisdom. And the price??? An unbelievable value.

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Adorable, intimate

ByAlejandro Garciarrubio Granadoson May 9, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Personal and intimate writing from a great man who strugled to be better each day. I don't belive on reading to get "teachings of life", but it will certainly cause you not harm to read this book. Even from the translation, you can see what a good writer he was. Besides, identifying with the worries an thoughts of a man who wrote two millenia ago, shows that there is something universal in the human mind.

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I found it very useful in my quest to ever better myself

ByMatthewon September 30, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

An absolute classic and must have piece of work. I found it very useful in my quest to ever better myself, whatever that really means. The point is that each time you re-read it, and you will want to read it more than once, you'll find something different to meditate on and to hopefully use in your everyday life. It's a timeless classic for a reason and I highly recommend this.

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Awesome

This book is ok for life philosophy, It does require total engagement to fully derive meaning. I prefer the read and notebook

Published 16 hours ago by CN

Four Stars

good read

Published 1 day ago by Lloyd Alan Marchbanks

Five Stars

GREEEAAAT CONDITION!

Published 1 day ago by Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Husband likes this book

Published 2 days ago by LawyerLady

Well worth it

Life changing text. Will have and reference for the rest of my life

Published 3 days ago by Sean Joseph

Good book

Great price. Seems to be a good translation. I am very interested in Marcus Aurelius after listening to discussions on him.Read more

Published 4 days ago by Captain Kirk

The philosophy and wisdom of this man who had access to the best teachers education in the world is enlightening unlike many ...

Step into the mind of an emperor and see his most intimate thoughts. And see that we are not that different from even an ancient emperor.Read more

Published 4 days ago by zeb clark

Five Stars

Timeless truth!🌻

Published 4 days ago by nancy princetta

A 'must have' for me these days

I gave my original copy to a work colleague. It's not a book to read cover to cover. Just open it at random and let it speak to you when you need some guidance or reflections on...Read more

Published 5 days ago by Hack99

Five Stars

great!!!

Published 5 days ago by wieland parham jr

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