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Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180, as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. These memos survive and continue to inspire others to this day. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to long paragraphs. He explicates the Stoic philosophy that the only way a man can be harmed by others is to allow his reaction to overpower him. He shows no particular religious faith in his writings, but seems to believe that some sort of logical, benevolent force organizes the universe in such a way that even "bad" occurrences happen for the good of the whole. (Summary by Ticktockman)

Der Stoiker Marc Aurel regierte von 161 bis 180 das römische Reich. In seinen Selbstgesprächen (Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν, wörtlich "an sich selbst") untersucht er seinen Charakter, seine Handlungen und seine Umwelt. Er entwickelt Ideen für ein besseres Leben. - Summary by redaer

3Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

By Marcus Aurelius

The Meditations is divided into 12 books that chronicle different periods of Marcus' life. Each book is not in chronological order and it was written for no one but himself. The style of writing that permeates the text is one that is simplified, straightforward, and perhaps reflecting Marcus' Stoic perspective on the text. Depending on the English translation, Marcus' style is not viewed as anything regal or belonging to royalty, but rather a man among other men which allows the reader to relate to his wisdom. A central theme to Meditations is the importance of analyzing one's judgment of self and others and the development of a cosmic perspective. As he said "You have the power to strip away many superfluous troubles located wholly in your judgment, and to possess a large room for yourself embracing in thought the whole cosmos, to consider everlasting time, to think of the rapid change in the parts of each thing, of how short it is from birth until dissolution, and how the void before birth and that after dissolution are equally infinite". He advocates finding one's place in the universe and sees that everything came from nature, and so everything shall return to it in due time. Another strong theme is of maintaining focus and to be without distraction all the while maintaining strong ethical principles such as "Being a good man". His Stoic ideas often involve avoiding indulgence in sensory affections, a skill which will free a man from the pains and pleasures of the material world. He claims that the only way a man can be harmed by others is to allow his reaction to overpower him. An order or logos permeates existence. Rationality and clear-mindedness allow one to live in harmony with the logos. This allows one to rise above faulty perceptions of "good" and "bad". - Summary by Wikipedia

This is a translation to Hebrew of the book "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius. Meditations (Medieval Greek: Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν, romanized: Ta eis he'auton, lit. 'things to one's self') is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. - Summary by Wikipedia

El emperador romano Marco Aurelio además de ser recordado por su buen gobierno, ha pasado a la posteridad por esta obra singularísima y casi única en su clase. Publicado con diversos nombres a lo largo de la historia: Meditaciones, Soliloquios, Pensamientos, o Los 12 libros de Marco Aurelio, y considerado una de las mejores obras jamás escritas, este texto recoge reflexiones muy diversas sobre la vida, los placeres, la naturaleza, el dominio de uno mismo, los deberes del gobierno, los sinsabores de la vida e incluso la actitud hacia la plaga que azotó el imperio en aquellos días y que finalmente fue la causa de su muerte. En las Meditaciones resuenan fuerte las bases morales del estoicismo: el cosmos es una unidad gobernada por una inteligencia divina; el alma humana es parte de ésta; le es posible, por lo tanto, mantenerse pura en medio del caos y la futilidad mediante la serenidad y el control de las pasiones. Enmarcados en la tradición estoica, los pensamientos de este rey filósofo nunca han pasado de moda por su carácter universal, atemporal y humano. (Introducción por Jasna y Epachuko)

6Meditations

By Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement.