In my current class on the philosophical emperor Marcus Aurelius, we are reading through the journal he wrote “To Himself” (aka “Meditations”).

Here are a few selected excerpts of what we’re reading and discussing from the twelve book collection of his wisdom:

(from Books 5 & 6)

“Think of the whole of existence, of which you are the tiniest part; think of the whole of time, in which you have been assigned a brief and fleeting moment; think of destiny—what fraction of that are you?” (5:24)  

“All things come from that one source, from the ruling reason of the cosmos …” (6:36)  

“You should meditate often on the connection of all things in the universe and their relationship to each other.  In a way all things are interwoven … a common breath inspiring them [in] the unity of all being.” (6:38) 

“As Antoninus, my city and country is Rome.  As a human being, it is the world.  What benefits these two cities is my only good.” (6:44)

The “Meditations” are well worth reading, for any person seeking to live a self-reflective, virtuous life.

(we use either the Hammond or the Hays translation.  I also like the translation from the Greek by Waterfield)