Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius—the Roman emperor who wielded immense power (sometimes ruthlessly) yet tempered it with profound introspection—left behind a timeless legacy in Meditations. This collection of personal reflections reveals the Stoic philosophy that steadied his rule and inner life, offering wisdom as vital today as in ancient times.

Join Us at Barnes & Noble

We'll meet in a quiet corner of the New Hope Commons Barnes & Noble in Durham to unpack Aurelius' teachings on resilience, humility, and focus—tools to navigate the modern chaos. Each passage is concise yet deeply layered.

Dorothy C. will moderate our discussion.

The most popular and highly recommended translation of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is by Gregory Hays. Other strong contenders include Robin Waterfield's "Annotated Edition" and Martin Hammond's translation. Hays's translation is praised for its clarity, accessibility, and contemporary feel. Waterfield's version is lauded for capturing the conciseness of the original text and providing helpful annotations, while Hammond's translation is noted for its eloquence and detailed notes.