Cover: Standard Ebooks edition cover · CC0 public domain dedication · source
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius · 121–180
The private notebook of a Roman emperor, never meant for us: twelve books of reminders to himself to act justly, to bear what cannot be changed, and to remember that everything — fame, grievance, the emperor himself — passes quickly. The most practical book of philosophy ever written by someone with no need to be practical.
- First published
- c. 170–180 CE
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Reading time
- About 3½ hours
- Translation
- George Long
Reading time: 50,854 words in Project Gutenberg text #15877, the Meditations only (Long's introduction and index excluded), read at 238 words per minute.
Written in Greek. George Long's English translation, first published 1862.
- Stoicism
- duty
- impermanence
- judgement
- acceptance
Where to read it
- Read free — Standard EbooksPublic domain text, carefully proofread and produced. · checked 11 Oct 2026(opens in a new tab)
- Read free — Project GutenbergPublic domain in the USA; check your local law outside it. · checked 11 Oct 2026(opens in a new tab)
- Read free — WikisourcePublic domain transcription. · checked 11 Oct 2026(opens in a new tab)
Copyright
- Kenya
- Public domain (translator d. 1879)
- United States
- Public domain
NOESIS hosts no book files. Links lead to the sources named.
Questions for discussion
Book I is a list of what Marcus learned from each person in his life. Write your own Book I.
He reminds himself constantly that he will die. Does that make him gloomier or freer?
What is the 'inner citadel', and is it available to people with far less power than an emperor?
Which single entry would you pin above your desk?
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