11–20 of 103 posts
This has become my preferred translation. It's a great modern translation and uses very approachable language. To me it reads much more like a journal than the other available translations. http://amzn.to/1xy6LYZ
Anyone who loves Marcus's Meditations will be blown away by Epictetus.
"In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present- I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world? Or have I been made for this, to lie in the bed-clothes and keep myself warm?- But this is more pleasant.- Dost thou exist then to take thy pleasure, and not at all for action or exertion? Dost thou not see the little plants, the little birds, the ants, the spiders, the bees working together to put in order their several parts of the universe? And art thou unwilling to do the work of a human being, and dost thou not make haste to do that which is according to thy nature?- But it is necessary to take rest also.- It is necessary: however nature has fixed bounds to this too: she has fixed bounds both to eating and drinking, and yet thou goest beyond these bounds, beyond what is sufficient; yet in thy acts it is not so, but thou stoppest short of what thou canst do. So thou lovest not thyself, for if thou didst, thou wouldst love thy nature and her will."
If you really dig Meditations, I recommend reading a couple translations side by side. They're all subtly different, and I find it helps me get a better grasp on the ideas Marcus was expressing to see how different people translated. Here are some discussions on the different translations: http://www.reddit.com/r/Stoicism/comments/137knd/survey_best... http://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/jaqm1/whats_the_best_...
A better (if more time consuming) option is to learn Latin and read it in the original.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
A better (if more time consuming) option is to learn Latin and read it in the original.
Weren't they written in greek?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
A better (if more time consuming) option is to learn Latin and read it in the original.
Weren't they written in greek?
Edit: Incidentally, a simple Google would've shown it was written in Greek: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditations
Never trust people on the internet, even yourself.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Weren't they written in greek?
Definitely Latin. By the time Aurelius was emperor the Greeks had already been overtaken by the Romans. Edit: Incidentally, a simple Google would've shown it was written in Greek: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditations Never trust people on the internet, even yourself.
Meditations in Wall Street
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3570107;view=1up;...
I have a copy on my nightstand that I read semi-frequently. It's interesting to keep in mind that he wrote them as a personal journal and never intended for his writings to be read by a broader audience. He frequently chastises himself and one of my favorite reflections comes from the beginning of Book V. The translation from the OP isn't the best but it's all I have on hand: "In the morning when thou risest unwillin…