Curved_Sw0rd
Just Like That Bluebird
It should be noted that the translation I'm using is by Gregory Hays, one of the more recent ones, if not the most.
Where to begin then? Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor, one of the last Emperors reigning over the Pax Romana, and is most well known for his scholarly pursuits. Plato dreamed of a Philosopher King, and that dream was, even if Marcus would likely reject it, realized in the follower of Stoicism we'll be following today. The Meditations are an old work, not quite a book proper, nor where they likely meant to be seen by anyone but Marcus, but more likely the Emperor's attempt at practicing his philosophy. Little notes to himself, written down and reviewed. All the same, this is one of the most important texts in Stoic Philosophy.
So, let's get to it? The way the book is organized does make verse by verse commentary easy enough.
Book 1: Debts and Lessons.
Money well spent indeed.
Discomfort if a fact of life, more things than not aren't worth complaining about. It's wisdom more people could subscribe to, in my estimation. Especially today. There's not much else for me to comment on, as it speaks for itself.
Now that's going to be it for today, but there's more to come. The book might not look like much, but it's pretty dense, lots of individual things to address and discuss. This is going to be fun.
Where to begin then? Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor, one of the last Emperors reigning over the Pax Romana, and is most well known for his scholarly pursuits. Plato dreamed of a Philosopher King, and that dream was, even if Marcus would likely reject it, realized in the follower of Stoicism we'll be following today. The Meditations are an old work, not quite a book proper, nor where they likely meant to be seen by anyone but Marcus, but more likely the Emperor's attempt at practicing his philosophy. Little notes to himself, written down and reviewed. All the same, this is one of the most important texts in Stoic Philosophy.
So, let's get to it? The way the book is organized does make verse by verse commentary easy enough.
Book 1: Debts and Lessons.
If the title of the book didn't give it away, this is Marcus assessing the things he admires and can learn from in the people him his life. I can only assume he knew of his grandfather from stories, not first hand account. Even then, character and self-control are virtues even today.1. My Grandfather Verus
Character and self-control.
It should be noted that Marcus's father was only in his life for a short time, dying when Marcus was around 3. Most of what he would learn about his father would come from those who knew him, though it can surprise you what one can remember, even at a young age. Another thing to note, while Integrity is self-explanatory, Manliness as we know and the Manliness the Romans know might be very different. It's not my area of expertise, but I'm sure some insights are coming down the road.2. My Father (From my own memories and his reputation)
Integrity and manliness.
What do good Romans consider divine? Nature, perhaps? There's clearly more to Roman spirituality than marble statues, but again this isn't my area of expertise. The way Marcus describes his mother here is some exceptional praise. Not just a virtuous person by action, but by purity of thought. And humble, as well, if that last line is anything to go by. So often one thinks of Roman nobility as decadent, drinking and eating and fornicating in excess, with all manner of luxury mixed in. Not too dissimilar to today's elite. How much can you stomach before you're just flexing on your peers? Or being wasteful?3. My Mother
Her reverence for the divine, her generosity, her inability not only to do wrong to even conceive of doing it. And the simple way she lived - not in the least like the rich.
There's no surrounding context, but with a lesson this robust I'm not sure we can really blame Marcus for that. Education sets the tone for a child's life, full stop. A poor education sets people back incredibly, I've had first-hand experience with this. One could even call a poor education sinful, with how damning and damaging it is.4. My Great-Grandfather
To avoid the public schools, to hire good private teachers, and to accept the resulting costs as money well spent.
Money well spent indeed.
Well damn, that's money well spent right there, points to Great Grandpa. One can transpose this wisdom into a modern context. Don't fret over your favorite sports team too much, or put too much stake into your favorite UFC fighter, there's always a chance it won't go the way you think.5. My First Teacher
Not to support this side or that in chariot racing, this fighter or that in the games. To put up with discomfort and not make demands. To do my own work, mind my own business, and have no time for slanderers.
Discomfort if a fact of life, more things than not aren't worth complaining about. It's wisdom more people could subscribe to, in my estimation. Especially today. There's not much else for me to comment on, as it speaks for itself.
Now that's going to be it for today, but there's more to come. The book might not look like much, but it's pretty dense, lots of individual things to address and discuss. This is going to be fun.