Meditations (Worldview Edition)

"It is fine for scholars to study Marcus, but it is natural for the captains of industry and armies to carry him in their briefcases, for this was a man of action, not merely of words, and the few words he wrote to himself were meant to incite action, not dissertations." -C. Scott Hicks and David V. Hicks

Look Inside the Book

"What if you could spy into the mind of a great world leader? Uncover what made them tick? See what motivated them? Learn to understand why they made the decisions they made? Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations allow you to do just that, and the wisdom found in them is astounding." ~From Dr. Phillips's Introduction

At the peak of the Roman empire, leading the Western world's most sophisticated military force against the barbarians, Emperor Marcus Aurelius began jotting down meditations on the insignificance of the material world and the importance of keeping a right and sober mind. We are no more than what we value—and even a beast seeks food, shelter, and comfort. Instead, the kingly philosopher sought to remind himself that the presence of trouble in this life is to be expected, and unhappiness can only control those who let it.

Translated crisply by George Long, this Canon Classic records a great emperor's personal struggle to combat both disappointment and disaster by turning to philosophy. The Canon Classics series presents the most definitive works of Western literature in a colorful, well-crafted, and affordable way. Unlike many other thrift editions, our classics feature individualized designs that prioritize readability by means of proper margins, leading, characters per line, font, trim size, etc. Each book’s materials and layout combine to make the classics a simple and striking addition to classrooms and homes, ideal for introducing the best of literary culture and human experience to the next generation.

This Worldview Edition features an introduction divided into sections on The World Around, About the Author, What Other Notables Said, Setting, Characters, & Plot Summary, Worldview Analysis, and 21 Discussion Questions & Answers.