The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius Book

Abraham Lincoln claimed that the best way to test a man's character is to give him power. Surely Marcus Aurelius' golden reign over the Roman Empire from 161 to 180 AD was such a test. Although this highly educated pagan despised wars and battles, "barbarian" tribes constantly besieged his empire on the Asian and German borders. As a result, he spent eight miserable winters camped by the frozen Danube River acting as commander-in-chief over his triumphant armies. During those gloomy nights he penned many of the meditations that appear in this excellent translation. The lack of arrogance or self-pity in his ruminations offers proof that Aurelius passed the test of character with flying colours. Furthermore, the best way to test a person's writing is to give it time. Once again, Aurelius demolished the test. For example, contemporary world leaders would do well to heed the advice under the heading "Talking and Being" where he writes, "Stop talking about what the good person should be, and just be that person." Most of these quotes are similarly brief as he extols the virtues of working hard, not acting impulsively, and living in communion with the natural world. Like Thich Nhat Hanh or Kahlil Gibran, this is an accessible writer of lasting spiritual integrity. --Gail HudsonRead More