i liked it and stuff but you need to get the good translation that doesn't dumb it down or make it too terse. like i know there's a lot of conflicting opinions about how nicely written he really wrote it, but the guy should be presented in a way that's impressive. cuz he was like a really great roman emperor.
also i read these comments on his book from one of my favorite writers g.k chesterton the other day. these were just some thoughts from one of his notebooks when he was pretty young. i guess i kinda feel the same way. his meditations are nice but i dont really believe its the best philosophy for life. maybe stoicism was accepted as a necessity to stay sane and virtuous. but we dont live in the a time when there is such a necessity for us to be that way, even if we could succeed at it. people know a lot more about enjoying life now. the greeks had just discovered something that worked and they clung to it. but there are more options out there now. obviosly chesterton thinks the christian religion was a great addition. and it did really outlive and outlast the stoics and stoicism so there's that.
MARCUS AURELIUS
A large-minded, delicate-witted, strong man, following the better thing like a thread between his hands.
Him we cannot fancy choosing the lower even by mistake; we cannot think of him as wanting for a moment in any virtue, sincerity, mercy, purity, self-respect, good manners. Only one thing is wanting in him. He does not command me to perform the impossible.
THE CARPENTER
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Yes: he was soliloquising, not making something. Do not the words of Jesus ring Like nails knocked into a board In his father's workshop? On two consecutive pages are notes showing how his mind is wrestling with the question, the answer to which would complete his philosophy:
XMAS DAY
Good news: but if you ask me what it is, I know not; It is a track of feet in the snow, It is a lantern showing a path, It is a door set open.
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
I live in an age of varied powers and knowledge, Of steam, science, democracy, journalism, art: But when my love rises like a sea, I have to go back to an obscure tribe and a slain man To formulate a blessing.